Some residents who wanted a COVID-19 test got up extra early this morning to queue outside the Maitland Showground clinic hours before it opened.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The line had reached the New England Highway at 5am - two hours before the clinic opened its doors.
It comes as residents spoke of long wait times at clinics on Thursday, with many missing out on a test before it closed.
The line at the East Maitland clinic extended all the way to Stockland Greenhills at one point on Thursday.
Some took to Facebook to voice their frustration.
Hunter New England Health has revealed virus fragments have also been found in sewerage in southern Port Stephens.
Thornton's Jump N Swim Academy has also been listed as an exposure site, with two cases visiting it earlier this week.
People in Port Stephens with even mild symptoms have been urged to isolate and get tested until they receive a negative result.
More to come.