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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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

So what else made news this week?

What people liked on Facebook this week...

• Easter is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year at the Newcastle Fisherman's Co-Op. But this year sales are expected to be down due to the coronavirus.
• One of Australia's biggest hydroponic farms, based at Williamtown, has collapsed with $100 million worth of debt.
• Fire and Rescue NSW says a blaze that destroyed the former CBD Hotel in Newcastle was so intense they had to withdraw firefighters from the building. Investigations into the fire, which saw nearby buildings evacuated, are continuing.
• An operation is underway to salvage 60 containers from the YM Efficiency. A total of 81 shipping containers washed off the ship off the coast of Port Stephens in 2018, resulting in tonnes of rubbish washing up on the Hunter's shoreline.

The best bits on air this week...

• The documentary Tiger King has gone viral and the public's interest in big cats has risen dramatically. Morning's Kia Handley spoke with Matt Hayward, who has spent time with big cats in the wild.
• Walkley Award-winning journalist Joanne McCarthy has announced her retirement after 40 years in journalism. She's best known for her exposure of institutional child sexual abuse. She spoke to Drive's Paul Turton about her career.
• Coronavirus is impacting almost every aspect of daily life, including real estate sales. Dan and Jenny spoke to Newcastle auctioneer Gavan Reynolds about online auctions.
• More people are planting their own vegie patch to supplement their food supply. But one Lake Macquarie man has been feeding the locals for years. Graham 'Jacko' Greaches spoke with Drive's Paul Turton about how he's keeping the people of Belmont fed.
• One of the Hunter's most popular events, Steamfest, has been cancelled because of coronavirus, which means the rebuilt 3801 steam locomotive won't be visiting our region. But you can still see the engine in action in a new video. Dan and Jenny spoke to Transport Heritage chief Andrew Moritz about the short film.

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??

Coronavirus: What you need to know

The ABC News website has extensive coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. Here are some stories you may find useful:

• Will we have to queue for Easter groceries? How new supermarket rules will work
• The exponential growth of coronavirus can be explained by rice on a chessboard. And we should worry
• Coronavirus has changed Easter plans for many. So what aren't you allowed to do?
• Audio: Do masks help protect you from coronavirus?
• Coronavirus data can be overwhelming. This is what you need to know

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