The ACT has recorded eight new locally acquired cases of COVID-19, all of them linked to the Territory’s current outbreak and none infectious while in the community.
However, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr says it will not be possible to stage Canberra’s popular Floriade and Nightfest events this year, due to the ongoing risk of spreading the virus.
“We will take a very cautious approach here,” Mr Barr said today, Saturday 21 August.
“The chief health officer will provide the government and cabinet with advice, as she is every day of this outbreak but to come out of lockdown early, we would require day after day of zero cases and people not infectious in the community.
“The clear point here is that coming out early, while there is still risk of virus transmission, could see the whole thing start again.”
Mr Barr said 4683 virus tests were conducted in the ACT in the 24 hours to Friday evening, with waiting times remaining relatively short.
He said police were pleased with the Territory’s efforts around compliance, with almost 800 traffic stops during the same period and 11 directions issued for people to leave the ACT.
Chief Health Officer Kerryn Coleman said out of the Territory’s total of 102 cases, 100 either had links to known cases or to exposure sites where known transmissions had occurred.
Two cases are in hospital but neither requiring intensive support or breathing assistance. While they are COVID-19 positive, the patients were not in care for COVID related issues, Dr Coleman said.
The ACT has listed over 14,600 self identified close contacts and around 5,600 casual contacts. There are currently more than 290 exposure sites, with several locations at Westfield Belconnen now listed.
Dr Coleman said there were three public sites of transmission where officials were yet to confirm how initial transmission occurred.
Meanwhile, 40 per cent of the ACT’s cases are in people aged under 17 years, 46 per cent are 18-44 years, and 14 per cent are 45 years and older.
With vaccine clinics booked out until mid-October, a mass hub will open at the Australian Institute of Sport arena so under-40s can register for Pfizer when it’s available.
Pfizer is still restricted to children aged between 12 and 15 who are Indigenous, have underlying medical conditions or compromised immune systems. But that is expected to change soon as the national immunisation panel readies to tick off the jab for everyone in that age group.
Mr Barr questioned the federal goal of achieving vaccination coverage of between 70 and 80 per cent and said he wants more clarity about what it means.
“I am hoping that Canberra will well exceed the national vaccination targets and between now and when the nation reaches 70 and 80 per cent, our objective locally is to get there first,” he said.
Nearly 35 per cent of the ACT’s eligible population is fully jabbed so far.
Mr Barr has flagged extra financial aid for businesses facing lockdown until 2 September.
He said the flattening number of new cases showed that lockdown restrictions, which began at 5pm on Thursday 12 August, are working.
Meanwhile, NSW announced a record 825 new cases, and three deaths today.
The entire state is now locked down and a police blitz is underway to enforce tough new regulations and increased fines.
NSW Police have been warning Sydney residents not to show up to the protest planned to start in the inner city on Saturday afternoon.
Newstate Media with AAP
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