ACT health authorities will be hoping for a pick-up in COVID-19 testing numbers, as further students start returning to the classroom.

The territory eased some coronavirus lockdown restrictions last Friday, with a further loosening of rules due towards the end of the month.

However, ACT Health is worried about the drop in people getting tested, with numbers recorded on Saturday less than half of those reported a week earlier.

ACT Chief Health Officer Kerryn Coleman said it was still important for Canberrans to continue coming forward for testing.

“Testing remains a vital step in the way we manage COVID-19, especially now that we have eased restrictions,” Dr Coleman said.

“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.”

The ACT enjoys one of the highest vaccination rates in the country.

The territory reported 33 new cases on Sunday, of which 24 are linked to known infections or ongoing clusters.

As of Sunday, there were 16 COVID-19 patients in ACT hospitals, including nine in intensive care.

Canberra’s year-11 students start returning to the classroom on Monday after year 12s ended home schooling earlier this month.

From Monday October 25, preschool, kindergarten, and years one, two, six, nine and 10 will return to school, while from November 1, years three, four, five, seven and eight will join them.

AAP

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