The COVID-19 outbreak in the ACT has grown by another 15 cases, as an influx of vaccine supplies is expected to help the territory reach 80 per cent double-dose vaccination coverage sooner.
The new cases reported in Canberra on Saturday included six who were active in the community for part of their infectious period.
The Territory reached another vaccination milestone overnight, with more than 75 per cent of the ACT’s population now having received at least one dose.
On Friday it became the first jurisdiction in Australia to fully vaccinate half of its population aged 16 and over.
But ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr on Saturday said the race towards 80 per cent – the trigger for dropping most restrictions – will now accelerate, with extra doses of Pfizer from the UK due to arrive soon.
“This could be as many as 60,000 new booking opportunities,” he said.
“What’s been holding the Territory back has been lack of vaccine supply, but now that those supply issues are being overcome, it is incredibly encouraging to see how many people are coming forward to get vaccinated.”
An announcement regarding Canberra’s path out of lockdown is due on Tuesday, with the city waiting to see if lockdown will end as scheduled next Friday.
Mr Barr has indicated things such as golf, tennis and national park visits could be on the cards after September 17.
But gatherings at people’s homes will likely remain off limits.
Of today’s 15 new cases, 14 are linked to current exposure sites or identified close contacts while one remains under early investigation.
Nine of the 15 were in quarantine for their entire infectious period, while six spent part of the infectious period in community.
As of this morning, 16 people in the ACT are now hospitalised with or due to COVID-19, with three in intensive care, one of whom requires ventilation.
One case not included in today’s statistics is associated with the Alexander Maconochie Centre, a detainee who was transferred into the prison. More details on this case is expected to be released at tomorrow’s 11.45am COVID media update.
There are now 249 active cases in Canberra, and 229 previous cases have fully recovered.
A total of 3,202 tests conducted yesterday.
As the Canberra region enjoys its first “blue sky weekend” since restrictions were eased to extend outdoor activity from one to two hours, and to allow up to five people to gather for outdoor picnics, Mr Barr said he was not concerned this would lead to an increase in cases.
He said it was better to have people abiding by restrictions outdoors than inside in shops.
The ACT figures come as both Queanbeyan and Goulburn recorded one new positive case today.
With AAP
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