The ACT has recorded 926 new COVID-19 cases overnight, a jump of over 400 on yesterday’s previous daily high of 514.
There are now 13 people in hospital with active or cleared cases of the virus. The number of people in intensive care has dropped to one with that person also requiring ventilation.
Active COVID cases in the ACT have jumped to 2,789 while there have been 6,120 total COVID-19 infections recorded since the Canberra lockdown began in August.
3,485 negative tests were returned in the past 24 hours while the ‘fully vaccinated’ rate in Canberra remains at 98.5 per cent.
ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith has expressed her disappointment with the Commonwealth for not securing more rapid antigen tests as the national capital posted a record 926 new COVID-19 cases.
Ms Stephen-Smith said the federal government should use its buying power to purchase more rapid tests to help current outbreaks across eastern states.
“I think it’s really disappointing,” she told ABC Radio on Tuesday.
“I know colleagues in other jurisdictions have pointed out that free rapid antigen tests have to be part of this response.
“Everyone expected the commonwealth would take on this responsibility because they are the ones with the biggest purchasing power. They are going to need to do more.”
The ACT secured one million rapid tests from NSW at cost, which will be provided from January 17.
It comes as ACT Health announced that the Holt COVID testing facility has been closed today due to the severe thunderstorm in Canberra yesterday.
The testing facilities continue to experience high wait demand with the Mitchell and Nicholls sites at full capacity as of 9.30am this morning. The Kambah clinic had a wait time of two and a half hours while Garran was at two hours. Click here for updated wait times.
Peak wait times are occurring in the early morning, late afternoon and evening, so ACT Health are advising people to visit a testing clinic in the early afternoon if you can.
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