Canberra has recorded 1,305 new COVID-19 cases overnight, as new restrictions are implemented in the ACT in an effort to slow the spread.
There are 24 people in hospital with active or cleared cases of the virus. Five patients are in intensive care with four requiring ventilation.
Active COVID cases in the ACT have jumped to 4,941 while the total number of cases during the Canberra outbreak now stands at 10,777.
3,122 negative tests were returned in the past 24 hours.
The ‘fully vaccinated’ rate in Canberra remains at 98.5 per cent while 20.3 per cent of ACT residents aged 18 and over have received a booster shot.
Despite Canberra’s incredibly high vaccination rate, the ACT government have reintroduced public health measures in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
From noon today 8 January, customers at all hospitality businesses – including cafes, bars, nightclubs and indoor entertainment venues – must be seated while eating and drinking.
Dancing at these venues will also not be allowed.
Mandatory face masks and venue density limits will continue.
Due to a large number of health care workers in quarantine, Calvary Public Hospital will cease non-essential elective surgeries for the next six to eight weeks.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said that with COVID-19 cases across the border growing rapidly, and the ACT experiencing more than a thousand new cases today, these measures are necessary to slow the spread of the virus.
“Mandatory face masks, density limits and other public health measures for businesses and indoor venues will also continue,” said Barr.
“Events will continue with ACT Health working closely with event organisers to ensure COVID safety plans are in place.”
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said that Canberrans are also strongly advised to consider the size of their gatherings both in homes and outdoors.
“COVID-19 isn’t going away and as a community we are learning to live with it. However, we do need everyone to continue to be responsible in the way they manage their social events through things like minimising the size of gatherings at home and remaining in known social groups when outside of the home.
“If you can hold your gathering outdoors, then please do. If your gathering is indoors, consider how many guests you invite. Keeping these numbers low, along with practising COVID safe measures such as continuing to wear a mask, physical distancing and good hand hygiene, will help limit the spread of the virus,” she said.
The ACT Government will continue to review the public health directions over the coming days and may look to introduce further measures if necessary, including possible limits to indoor and outdoor gatherings.
COVID across the country
There were daily records right across the country as NSW reported a high of 45,098 new COVID-19 cases including 218 in Queanbeyan.
Victoria hit a new record with 51,356 new infections as health authorities start counting positive rapid antigen tests in the daily cases.
Tasmania also hit a new high with 2,223 new COVID cases as just four people are in hospital for COVID symptoms.
