Plus, we're doing daily coronavirus updates, mining sector suffering, and fire destroys CBD Hotel
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Hunter pharmacists attacked over coronavirus medicine shortage | |
| First it was toilet paper and groceries, now customers are losing their temper over a shortage of medicines. Pharmacist Kiely Hindmarch says she's been spat on and punched as anxiety levels in the community over COVID-19 increase. | |
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World-first online Easter yearling sale | |
| The Inglis Easter yearling sale is the premier sale for some of the world's finest horses and this week, in a world first, it went solely online. While there were fewer horses being offered for sale, more than 300 went under the hammer. Watch our Facebook video of the sale. | |
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Prisoner unrest over no-visit rule | |
| Prisoner visits have been stopped at all NSW jails since last month in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus. But there are concerns the ruling is causing unrest among inmates, after two fires broke out at the maximum security Shortland Correctional Centre at Cessnock last week. | |
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COVID-19 restrictions impact mining sector | |
| Mining is an important industry in the Hunter region and coronavirus is starting to have an impact. Some projects have been shut down and staff have been laid off, as the industry grapples with the pandemic. | |
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Latest Hunter region coronavirus news | | Our ABC Newcastle local website now has a daily update providing essential information about COVID-19. It features the number of confirmed cases, current developments, information about health, education and food, plus a heap of links to services where you can get help. A 76-year-old man who had been on the Ruby Princess cruise ship has become the first local man to die from COVID-19. He was previously diagnosed before being admitted to Westmead Hospital in Sydney, where he died on Saturday. A three-year-old Hunter girl has tested positive for COVID-19. She contracted the virus from her parents and is displaying mild symptoms while in isolation at home. The Hunter Business Chamber has described the economic pain from coronavirus as dramatic, grim and widespread. A survey from Business NSW has revealed revenue loss for 67% of the state's businesses and plummeting business confidence. The Hunter GP's Association says it's critical all retailers improve steps to minimise the spread of coronavirus. Chairman Dr John Goswell says doctors are noticing a lack of social distancing and hygiene at some shops. Police have been joined by the Australian Defence Force to assist in quarantine compliance at ports across NSW, including Newcastle. The Marine Area Command is deploying police to Newcastle, Port Kembla, Botany and White Bay. The Hunter chairman of the Real Estate Institute says he's aiming to keep fear out of the equation when it comes to advising landlords and tenants about rent payments. Last week the Prime Minister announced a moratorium on evictions. | |
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So what else made news this week? | |
Monday: Port Stephens police say a man stabbed at the weekend at Fingal Bay knew his attacker. The 27-year-old is in a stable condition in hospital after he was allegedly stabbed at his home in the early hours of Sunday morning. A 28-year-old man faced court on Monday.
Tuesday: A Newcastle locksmith says fears of looting and break-ins during the coronavirus crisis are driving a surge in demand for security systems. Scott Talle says alarm and camera sales have jumped by up to 30% in recent weeks.
Wednesday: The Environment Protection Authority has fined an Upper Hunter mine $15,000 for failing to carry out blasting activities in a competent manner. A large dust plume allegedly travelled from the Warkworth mine, near Singleton, in August, engulfing neighbouring properties and roads.
Thursday: A new survey has revealed the mining sector in resource-rich areas like the Hunter injected almost $14 billion into the state's economy in the last financial year. | |
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How's this for a view? | |
| Like many of us, journalist Madeline Lewis, from our Newcastle newsroom, has been working at home due to the coronavirus. But how does she concentrate with that view?? | |
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