Transmission of COVID-19 at Canberra construction sites could still occur even if all safety protocols were followed, union executives say.
Nine people have become infected with COVID-19 after an exposure at a Canberra CBD construction site between Monday and Friday last week.
Of the nine cases, six were construction workers, while three were household contacts.
Despite the transmission, CMFEU ACT branch assistant secretary Zach Smith said COVID-19 could still spread to other workers on a construction site, even if all health protocols were followed.
He told ABC Radio non-compliant sites should still be shut down, but that the industry in the ACT should still be allowed to continue.
“Non-compliant builders should be targeted, rather than arbitrarily for the whole industry,” he said.
It comes as the Territory appeared to have prevented an outbreak at Canberra Hospital, after two cases were reported in the last week in patients who were sharing a room.
Extensive testing of staff and patients in recent days has returned a negative result.
ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith told reporters on Sunday no new infections were reported at Canberra Hospital after more than 200 negative tests were returned from both staff and patients.
“All staff tests have now been returned and have come back negative,” she said.
“It’s a very strong indication of the infection prevention and control measures that are in place and the good use of personal protective equipment by Canberra Hospital staff.”
However, more testing was being done and the situation was being closely monitored.
But the minister insisted people should feel safe to visit the hospital should they need to.
The Territory announced 25 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, most of which were linked to outstanding known infections, but only three were in quarantine during their entire infectious period.
This brought the total number of cases in the current outbreak to 750.
Ten people are in hospital, four of them in intensive care and three requiring ventilation.
Meanwhile, the ACT has passed the 85 per cent first dose mark for people aged 12 and over.
Get all the latest Canberra news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
