Changes to how ACT health authorities will handle positive COVID-19 cases are set to be revealed, as Canberra nears the end of lockdown.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr will provide an update today, Wednesday 13 October, on how testing, contact tracing, isolation and quarantine measures will be undertaken, with there expected to be less of an emphasis on case numbers.
The changes are expected to be phased in over several weeks, following the ending of Canberra’s lockdown on Friday, though many restrictions will remain, such as mandatory mask wearing in public, and capacity limits at venues and private gatherings.
The Territory’s chief health officer Kerryn Coleman said the changes would coincide with a shift away from a sole emphasis on virus case figures.
“The daily numbers are becoming less important with our higher vaccination rate and more movement in the community,” Dr Coleman said.
“We are moving towards a covid normal where we expect to see an ongoing transmission of cases.”
Dr Kerryn Coleman
Contact tracing is expected to focus on cases in the community that represent the greatest risk to the public.
The ACT is on track to reach 99 per cent of its eligible population being fully vaccinated.
Mr Barr said he expected to see the figure reached by the end of November.
“Our growing vaccination coverage will provide better protection for the community in the weeks and months ahead as the virus increases and spreads in the community,” Mr Barr said.
“Case numbers are expected to increase as restrictions are eased, but being fully vaccinated provides protection.”
Current vaccine figures show 98.2 per cent of over-12s in the ACT having received a first dose, while 72 per cent have received both doses.
“As we have seen around the world, and even in places that have high vaccination levels, the virus will continue to spread and there will be pressure on the health system,” Mr Barr said.
Friday will bring eased restrictions, including gatherings of up to five people in one household or 25 outdoors.
Restaurants, cafes, bars, gyms and hairdressers will also be able to reopen, subject to density limits.
Most retail will have to wait until October 29 to reopen, but some non-essential stores that take appointments, such as for trying on clothes or test-driving a car, will be able to reopen for a maximum of two people per household.
The ACT reported 28 new cases of COVID on Tuesday, including 22 linked with known cases.
By Andrew Brown in Canberra, AAP
