Three schools across the Central Coast and Hunter region in New South Wales remain shut as residents prepare to enter a snap lockdown.
The NSW Government has announced a one-week lockdown for the Hunter and Upper Hunter region after five school students tested positive for COVID-19 .
The Hunter Valley, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie lockdown will start from 5pm today and run until midnight, Thursday, August 12.
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NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced a one-week lockdown for the Hunter region.(Nine)
NSW Health officials are investigating how the Delta variant was transmitted to the Hunter regions and Central Coast.
NSW health authorities believe the Newcastle/Hunter infections can be linked to a gathering at Blacksmiths Beach on Friday night.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has defended the state s lockdown measures as a record five deaths and 262 locally-acquired cases of Covid-19 were recorded on Thursday.