Two men with COVID-19 have died in Lake Macquarie along with three people from the Mid Coast in the 24 hours to 4pm Friday afternoon.
There are currently 89 COVID positive patients receiving care in hospitals across the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) with three of those in intensive care.
With 1615 new positive case, the district continues to record the highest numbers in the state - more than Western Sydney which saw the second most cases at 1534.
Of the new cases in the HNELHD, 527 came from PCR tests and 1088 from positive rapid antigen tests (RATs).
In the same reporting period, NSW has recorded 12,633 new cases and the deaths of 16 people with COVID-19. 7283 of the cases were recorded via PCR tests with 5350 from RATs.
There are currently 1617 cases admitted to hospital across the state, including 60 people in intensive care - 20 of whom require ventilation.
As of 6pm yesterday (Friday 22 April), household and close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case who do not have symptoms are no longer required to isolate, provided they comply with NSW Health guidelines.
