lockdown

The new cases have been recorded across five local government areas.

The new cases are in Port Stephens, Maitland and Lake Macquarie.

Three of the new cases in Heatherbrae, New Lambton & Armidale were infectious while in the community.

The three new cases are across Lake Macquarie and Cessnock.

More than 4000 new team members are being recruited including 3500 in delivery roles - 350 of those in regional areas.

Hunter New England Health says the confirmed case is now in isolation off-site and testing has been arranged for affected residents who are now in isolation while they await the results.

It's the second death since the local outbreak began, both are related to the Edgeworth nursing home.

An outdoor mask mandate is being introduced, including for Regional NSW from Monday 23 August requiring masks to be worn outdoors except when exercising.

The numbers show a jump in the Maitland local government area which was expected.

Both men were told to return to their homes immediately.