ACT COVID scare sees ten false positives, one result outstanding

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Eleven people in the ACT were notified of a positive COVID-19 test result yesterday, ACT Health has confirmed, with 10 of those people having now tested negative.

The tests were issued by a private pathology provider and ACT Health arranged for urgent retesting of the individuals. 

The 11th person, who has since travelled to NSW, is in isolation in NSW and awaiting results of the new test.

“At this time, there are no positive cases of COVID-19 in the ACT and no exposure sites,” said an ACT Health spokesperson.

“Should there be a positive case in the ACT, we will provide information and advice to the community as quickly as possible.

“Work is ongoing with the pathology provider to determine the reasons for the indeterminate results that were reported as positive.”

The ACT’s daily COVID-19 update was issued just before 1pm today, recording no new cases of the virus from more than 1,100 test results in the past 24 hours.

The ACT COVID scare comes as cases of COVID-19 in NSW surged to a record 239 new cases today, prompting tighter restrictions for some Sydney local government areas.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned Sydneysiders the situation was likely to worsen before it improved, given the number of people infectious in the community – at least 88.

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith has said while the ACT would not impose a hard border with NSW, authorities would consider a border bubble-type arrangement with the surrounding region in the event of a threat to the ACT.

“As we continue this planning, we are asking the community to be aware that the situation could change very quickly and to be prepared to respond to any increase to restrictions or to any changes to travel advice.”

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