A New South Wales MP says his constituents are being "kept in the dark" about coronavirus cases in their region, but the local health district claims releasing more information would be a breach of patient privacy.

Key points: The Hunter New England Local Health District, which covers 131,785 square kilometres, is under pressure to release more detailed reports of coronavirus cases

The Hunter New England Local Health District, which covers 131,785 square kilometres, is under pressure to release more detailed reports of coronavirus cases So far the district has recorded more than 70 cases, but but no further details have been released

So far the district has recorded more than 70 cases, but but no further details have been released Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has issued a heated criticism of the health district and wants to see changes made to its policy

The Hunter New England Health Local Health District, which stretches from Newcastle up to the Queensland border, accounts for more than 70 COVID-19 cases amidst the state total of 1,029 — a figure that now includes two children under 10.

Northern Tablelands MP and NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall says due to the area's "vast size" cases need to be broken down into local government areas so people are receiving the most detailed information.

"My office is getting inundated with calls on a daily basis, and emails and letters from people just wanting to know what's going on, because the information that's being provided by the health district in the public domain is just not sufficient, it's just not enough," Mr Marshall said.

"It is so counterproductive when we're dealing with a worldwide pandemic and people's stress levels are at record highs.

"You would think that the authorities would be want to be providing the best and most detailed information that they can on a regular basis — obviously without breaching individuals' privacy."

Adam Marshall says the Hunter New England Local Health District should release more detailed information about cases of COVID-19. ( Supplied: NSW Health )

Will NSW follow Victoria?

Mr Marshall says he wants to see a reporting strategy similar to one recently implemented in Victoria that involves a breakdown of case numbers by local government area.

"We don't want to know who they are or where they live, or their towns, but a breakdown that's more granular than a whole health district that covers a significant part of the state would be very useful in keeping people calm," he said.

"But also just providing good quality information in the public domain so that people can make good choices.

"Information on a local government area by local government area basis so people get good information about where the virus is spreading, but where the cases are so we that we avoid a situation that's happening now as people are wildly speculating on social media, which causes further distress, anxiety and concerns.

"If there are cases in our region, we need to know.

"It will help some people who aren't taking it seriously to take it seriously when they know that there are actual cases of the virus in their local government area.

"If people are informed, they're going to listen to the health warnings."

'No case for secrecy'

Bill Bowtell, an adjunct professor at the University of NSW's Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity, says regional communities need to take the situation "very seriously" — and that more transparency in reporting is required.

"The enemy of fear and panic is truth and openness," he said.

"All of the statistics that we should have in most other countries, in Europe and so on, are up on the internet in real time.

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"There is no case to be made for keeping statistics secret.

"We can still influence the trend of that curve, which is now going up at too high a rate.

"People change when you give them facts and figures and tell them the truth.

"Collectively we can get through it together."

Hunter New England Local Health District says it's against patient privacy to reveal their specific locations. ( ABC News: Dan Cox )

Privacy protocols preventing sharing

A spokesperson for the Hunter New England Local Health District said releasing such information "serves no public health benefit".

"As has been occurring since the outbreak of COVID-19, and in line with national protocols, NSW Health promptly notifies the public of any locations, including on public transport, where there has been a risk of infection," the spokesperson said.

"This is so members of the public can monitor their symptoms and seek medical assistance if they become unwell.

"Locations where these cases live, work or have visited do not pose any ongoing risk to the public.

"Anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 and their close contacts are either being treated in hospital or are in self-isolation to ensure there is no ongoing risk of infection to others in the community.

"Publishing private details, such as the location of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19, is a breach of patient privacy and serves no public health benefit.

But Mr Marshall believes that policy should change and has asked the NSW Health Minister to intervene.

"They're saying it's a policy that they are only going to provide information on a health district basis," he said.

"I think that is not only wrong, but stupid, in terms of managing this crisis."