More than 100 people in the Hunter New England Health District have been diagnosed with coronavirus.
One man is receiving treatment at Tamworth Hospital according to Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson.
As of 8pm on Tuesday, an additional 31 cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed.
This brings the total number of Hunter New England confirmed cases to 103.
"Currently, five COVID-19 patients are being cared for in our hospitals, two in ICU. Daily wellness checks continue to be undertaken with all other confirmed cases in the District," said public health physician Dave Durrheim.
"Hunter New England Health is contacting close contacts of the new cases, who are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact.
"They will be contacted every day to check that they are well, and any contact who develops COVID-19 symptoms will be tested for the infection."
Dr Durrheim said it's absolutely critical that everyone distances ourselves.
" We need to stand back that 1.5m, we need to restrict the amount that we go outside only to critical activities," he said.
"We need to make sure that if we have a cough, or a cold, or a fever that we don't go out into the community and potentially spread COVID-19.
"That is the time to be at home and be safe and not spread the virus."