The ACT appears to have prevented a COVID-19 outbreak at the Territory’s major hospital after extensive staff and patient testing proved negative.
Two virus cases had been reported last week in patients sharing a room at the hospital.
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.
“I was advised this morning that 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.
More broadly, over 4000 tests were conducted in the 24-hour reporting period on Saturday, a particularly high level for the weekend.
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.
By Colin Brinsden in Canberra, AAP
