ACT has recorded 13 new cases overnight, at least 10 of whom spent time in the community during their infectious period.
Seven of the new cases have been linked, six of which are household contacts, and the remaining six are still under investigation.
Only two of the ACT’s 13 new cases were in quarantine for their entire infectious period, at least 10 spent part in community, and one remains under early investigation.
One of today’s new cases was onsite at the Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service in Narrabundah while unknowingly infectious on 9 and 10 September.
The centre will be closed today and tomorrow given the number of staff who have to isolate as a precaution.
At this point, just Friday 10 September date has been listed on the ACT exposure site list, as ACT Health are confident they can identify everyone who was onsite on the Thursday.
As of 9am today, ACT Health continues to work with over 900 people who have self-identified as close contacts of ACT outbreaks.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the number of new cases infectious in the community is a “concern” and presents a “challenging period” in this outbreak.
“I’ve repeatedly observed that one of the factors we are looking at beyond the headline numbers is the number of cases infectious in the community and whether they can be linked or not,” he said.
“What we want to see is a high number of linked cases … and as low as possible number of people infectious in the community.”
There are nine people in hospital, three of whom are in intensive care with one of these requiring ventilation. The youngest patient is 18 years old, the oldest in their 70s.
The patients in ICU are aged between 40 and 60 years.
Seven are unvaccinated, one is partially vaccinated with one dose, and the vaccination status of the remaining hospitalised case is unknown.
Over 2,400 tests were collected across the ACT yesterday, from both Government and private providers, reflecting a trend of numbers dropping below 3,000 on weekends. There were also 2,588 negative test results in the 24 hours to 9am today.
The total number of cases from this outbreak is now 506; total recovered now 261, seven more since yesterday, and there are 245 active cases.
Repeat offending businesses ‘will have to be closed’
Meanwhile, businesses that fail to comply with health directions are on theirr last warning following a host of business checks conducted over the weekend.
ACT Policing conducted 37 business compliance checks over the weekend, while Access Canberra had their own program of business compliance.
Access Canberra reported eight out of 10 businesses visited weren’t complying with public health directions.
“This is a problem. We are now moving beyond warnings. Repeat offenders will have to be closed,” Mr Barr said.
Vaccination efforts continue across the ACT with total vaccine doses administered now at 245,975. Just over 50 per cent of the Territory’s 16-plus population are fully vaccinated. This week, the ACT is expected to hit 50 per cent fully vaccinated for Canberrans aged 12 and up, and 75 per cent aged 12 and up with a first dose.
16,615 Canberrans are booked in for a first dose this week with thousands more receiving a first dose through GPs and pharmacists.
60 per cent of all vaccines administered by ACT Government clinics are first doses, 40 per cent second doses.
Mr Barr said that balance will “shift” in the coming months as more jabs go into the arms of those who want it.
“The program will shift then to being much more focused on second doses and completing the vaccination program,” he said.
There are over 330 current exposure locations listed for the ACT. Canberrans are asked to keep up to date on new locations on the ACT COVID-19 website.
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