Singleton

The new cases are from the Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Maitland, Cessnock, Muswellbrook and Glen Innes local government areas.

It's the first time since August 27 that the states case numbers have dipped below 1000.

24 new COVID cases were recorded across the region on Friday.

The new cases are spread across the Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Cessnock, Port Stephens and Gunnedah local government areas.

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

NSW Police have confirmed they have located a three-year-old boy who has been missing from the Singleton area for four days.

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

Singleton PCYC has given the popular annual Singleton book sale a new lease of life, following news this years sale would be the last.

Hunter Valley Police are searching for two people who broke into a Singleton residence overnight while the occupants were at home.

Gladys Berejiklian stopped short of announcing it but, says it doesn't look like the Hunter will come out of lockdown.