The ACT has recorded 33 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm Saturday after travel restrictions for Canberrans eased. There were 16 patients in ACT hospitals, including nine in intensive care as the total number of cases for this outbreak reached 1447. Of the new cases, 24 are linked to known cases or ongoing clusters. There are now 486 active cases in the territory There were 1366 negative tests returned in the past 24 hours. Of Canberrans aged 12 years and over, 78.5 per cent are fully vaccinated. Authorities noted testing numbers had dropped to a little more than 1500 on Saturday as Canberrans experienced their first weekend of eased restrictions. It marks a decline of more than half of the previous Saturday’s testing figures. Chief health officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said it was important residents continued to get tested as soon as they felt even the mildest of symptoms. “Testing remains a vital step in the way we manage COVID-19, especially now that we have eased restrictions,” Dr Coleman said. “We are strongly urging Canberrans to continue to get tested with the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms and as soon as symptoms start. “While the risk is lower, it is important everyone remembers that even if fully vaccinated, you can still contract COVID-19 and pass it on to others, especially to those who are unvaccinated.” It was the last day Canberrans could get tested at the Gold Creek School pop-up site but testing sites at Exhibition Park in Canberra, the Garran surge centre and the Kambah drive-through site would still remain available from Monday. Sunday’s announcement follows changes allowing Canberrans to travel to more parts of regional NSW for any reason without having to quarantine on their return. This includes the South Coast, Southern Highlands and the Snowy Monaro regions. Canberrans need to be fully vaccinated and follow NSW rules while travelling. However, Canberra businesses are finding the increased border bubble locations a ‘bitter pill’, as they face concerns customers will hop the border to shop rather than contend with Canberra’s limited appointments and click and collect restrictions. Meanwhile, New South Wales recorded 301 new cases of COVID-19 and 10 deaths, as the state passed its 80 per cent double-dose vaccination rate. Victoria had 1838 new cases since Saturday with a further seven deaths. The state’s active case tally now sits at 23,376. MORE COVID-19 NEWS: Our coverage of the health and safety aspects of this outbreak of COVID-19 in the ACT and the lockdown is free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support. You can also sign up for our newsletters for regular updates. Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
The ACT has recorded 33 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm Saturday after travel restrictions for Canberrans eased.
There were 16 patients in ACT hospitals, including nine in intensive care as the total number of cases for this outbreak reached 1447.
Of the new cases, 24 are linked to known cases or ongoing clusters. There are now 486 active cases in the territory
There were 1366 negative tests returned in the past 24 hours.
Of Canberrans aged 12 years and over, 78.5 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Concerns over drop in testing numbers
It marks a decline of more than half of the previous Saturday’s testing figures.
Chief health officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said it was important residents continued to get tested as soon as they felt even the mildest of symptoms.
“Testing remains a vital step in the way we manage COVID-19, especially now that we have eased restrictions,” Dr Coleman said.
“We are strongly urging Canberrans to continue to get tested with the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms and as soon as symptoms start.
“While the risk is lower, it is important everyone remembers that even if fully vaccinated, you can still contract COVID-19 and pass it on to others, especially to those who are unvaccinated.”
It was the last day Canberrans could get tested at the Gold Creek School pop-up site but testing sites at Exhibition Park in Canberra, the Garran surge centre and the Kambah drive-through site would still remain available from Monday.
Sunday’s announcement follows changes allowing Canberrans to travel to more parts of regional NSW for any reason without having to quarantine on their return. This includes the South Coast, Southern Highlands and the Snowy Monaro regions.
Canberrans need to be fully vaccinated and follow NSW rules while travelling.
The state’s active case tally now sits at 23,376.
Our coverage of the health and safety aspects of this outbreak of COVID-19 in the ACT and the lockdown is free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support. You can also sign up for our newsletters for regular updates.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
Chief minister Andrew Barr. Picture: Karleen Minney
© The Canberra Times
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