coronavirus,

HUNTER New England Health has responded to public pleas to know the local government areas where cases of COVID-19 have occurred. "People have indicated they are curious about where the cases are occurring in Hunter New England," public health physician Dr Dave Durrheim said. "I have said they are scattered everywhere, and today you will see on the map that this is the case." Live and breaking news updates: The coronavirus crisis in Newcastle and the Hunter The map shows there have been 19 confirmed cases in the Newcastle local government area, five in Port Stephens, 24 in Lake Macquarie, and six in Maitland. There have also been cases 19 cases in the Lower Mid North Coast, 15 in the Hunter Valley, and 12 in the New England regions. "COVID 19 is close to all of us. Now is the time for all of us to do everything we can to slow the spread of this virus," Dr Durrheim said. The confirmed cases were all in home isolation - doing the "right thing". "We urge all their close contacts to remain isolated as well, and anyone who develops fever, illness or a respiratory illness, please stay home. "Remember to stand back and remember to keep washing your hands copiously through the course of the day." We have removed our paywall from our stories about the coronavirus. This is a rapidly changing situation and we want to ensure our readers are as informed as possible. If you would like to support our journalists, you can subscribe here

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