The Calvary Mater Hospital mould crisis has worsened, with elevated levels of aspergillus fumigatus detected in the intensive care unit.
The mould was detected as part of quarterly air quality testing that has been conducted since April 2025.
The latest testing, completed in August, identified slightly elevated levels of aspergillus fumigatus in some areas of the intensive care unit (ICU).
All other results were within the normal range.
In a statement, the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) said the levels detected were not considered dangerous to healthy individuals.
"However, because ICU patients can be more vulnerable, immediate action has been taken to manage any potential risk," it said.
"Following hygienist advice, deep clinical cleaning of impacted areas has been completed, follow-up cleaning is underway, and additional portable HEPA filters are being deployed. A building inspection, including the roof space, is also being completed to identify any environmental factors."
The intensive care outbreak is the latest development in the deadly Mater mould and maintenance scandal.
The Newcastle Herald has published more than 90 stories on the crisis over the past year.
The Herald's reporting led to a parliamentary inquiry, which recommended that the hospital's disastrous public-private partnership (PPP) be terminated.
Opposition health spokesperson Sarah Mitchell said she would pursue Health Minister Ryan Park over the latest outbreak in Thursday's budget estimates hearing.
"This has been an ongoing issue for this hospital and to the local community. Once again, we've got a spokesperson for the health district making comment. Where is the health minister?" she said.
"The minister needs to come out today with a clear timeline of what the government intends to do with the Mater Hospital. Will they be returning it fully to public hands?"
HNELHD said the ICU would remain operational while remediation was under way.
Affected staff, patients and families are being contacted directly and provided with information and advice.
"In response to the findings of the independent building assessment, the newly established NSW Health Taskforce is progressing its work to rollout a targeted remediation program at Calvary Mater Newcastle," HNELHD said.
"This will address priority building condition, maintenance and performance issues across the facility."
The taskforce met this week to identify the priority works to be delivered, which will include heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems remediation to address moisture and mould risks, including within the ICU and other priority clinical areas.
NSW Health said it remained focused on the safe and continuous operation of the hospital and the delivery of safe, high-quality care to the community.
Cladding remediation works are also progressing with replacement works on the South Block southern facade and the Mater Institute building now complete.
Health Services Union NSW secretary Gerard Hayes said the government needed to urgently intervene to rectify the problem.
"The private partners are very happy to make their profit margins, but the need to maintain an appropriate level of acceptability here is not showing up," he said.
"I would encourage the government to get involved as a matter of absolute priority to either sort them out or make sure it is as safe as possible."
"We all know how clean the ICU needs to be. If that's got mould in it, that's just grossly unacceptable."
The Health Minister said he had been advised the ICU was safe to remain open.
"These results are not considered dangerous to healthy individuals, but as ICU patients are more vulnerable we've undertaken a number of steps to address the risk, including deep cleaning, deploying more filters, and inspecting the building," Mr Park said.
"The health advice is that the ICU remains open and safe to operate.
"I understand the community's interest in this facility and we are undertaking the necessary rectification of it, while continuing to hold the private provider to account."
