Delta COVID-19 strain spreads through Port Stephens

State MP Kate Washington said that the increasing number of new cases mixed with multiple clusters recorded from Fingal Bay to Heatherbrae at the weekend had placed the entire Port community on high alert.

"We are fighting an invisible fire so it is crucial that anyone with the mildest of symptoms gets tested and that residents continue to come forward to get vaccinated," she said.

"We need to find every case in our community, so minimising movement and staying at home where possible are crucial, and following the health advice is key."

Ms Washington urged Port residents to continue to work together, be kind and look after each other in the fight against the pandemic.

Four COVID cases were recorded in Port Stephens on Friday, 10 on Saturday and seven on Sunday. The Port recorded one case on Monday.

The Port has 13 venues listed as exposure sites on the NSW Health case map.

Dr Alex Richardson, clinical director at the Tomaree peninsula's leading vaccination centre Nelson Plaza Clinic, described the news as particularly concerning because so many were infectious in the community.

"The delta variant is twice as infectious as the original strain of COVID-19,meaning we should expect more cases and exposure sites before the numbers start to decline," he said.

"It is often several days between someone unknowingly spreading COVID-19 locally, test results confirming the diagnosis and the announcement of exposure sites.

"We won't know where the next exposure site will be. To reduce risk, we recommend everyone check in and out using QR codes, wear masks covering nose and mouth when out of the home, and where possible access good ventilation."

Dr Richardson said that every exposure site could significantly impact services for the community such as pharmacy, supermarket or medical centre closures for deep cleaning.

"Many medical centres will take steps to reduce the risk of closing for up to two weeks by introducing telehealth as much as possible. Telehealth is now better than ever with the new escripts system, as well as electronic specialist referrals and imaging requests."

He added that vaccinations would help slow the spread of the delta variant.

"We have daily appointments for AstraZeneca vaccination for anyone over 18 who would like to consider it. We also hope to have an increased supply of Pfizer vaccine coming soon. Everyone over 60 in Port Stephens should be double vaccinated by now. If not, they should discuss with their GP as a matter of urgency."

Dr Damien Welbourne said that the latest coronavirus outbreak was a timely wake up call for the Port Stephens community and a reminder to us all not to get complacent about the risks of catching the virus.

Dr Welbourne, who runs the Raymond Terrace respiratory clinic where more than 25,000 vaccinations have been administered since March, said that testing, vaccinations and doing the right thing were a key to better days ahead.

He had a message based on clinical data to those residents who remain hesitant about which vaccine to receive.

"We are still seeing some doubt in people who want to get vaccinated but are not sure about the AstraZeneca. Based on all the medical advice, there is a far greater risk of catching COVID-19 than there is of getting any serious side effects from the vaccine," he said.

"There is a very small handful of cases where Pfizer is the preferred option, everyone else aged 18 or over can get the AstraZeneca. If you are someone who has some doubt about the vaccine, my advice is to talk to your doctor about it, do not listen to those spreading fear on social media."

Dr Welbourne said that the Raymond Terrace clinic continued to receive increased doses of the Pfizer vaccine for distribution and that there were ample supplies of AstraZeneca.

"If we continue to work together and be responsible, we will come out the other side."

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