Two more cases of coronavirus in Tamworth Regional area has been confirmed, bringing the total cases to nine.
As of 8pm on Thursday, an additional 18 cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed since our update yesterday.
This brings the total number of Hunter New England confirmed cases to 142.
Public Health Physician Dave Durrheim said 78 of the cases in the health region has originated on three cruise ships.
"The good news is, we have only had seven cases of unknown transmission," he said.
Dr Durheim reiterated his message for people to do everything in their power to prevent the spread.
"If we don't want to become like an Italy or a United States of America, now is the golden moment to make sure we do not spread this virus," he said.
"We can contain the spread of COVID-19 by taking meticulous care."