The ACT has recorded 17 new cases of COVID-19, as senior school students returned to the classroom.

Of the locally acquired cases reported on Monday, 11 were linked to known cases or clusters.

There are now 17 patients in hospital with COVID-19, nine of whom are in intensive care.

ACT health authorities say there are now 441 active cases in the community.

Testing numbers remained relatively low, with 1578 tests in the past day.

It comes after ACT Chief Health Officer Kerryn Coleman said on the weekend she was concerned about a drop in testing rates.

“While the risk is lower, it is important everyone remembers that even if fully vaccinated, you can still contract COVID-19 and pass it on to others, especially to those who are unvaccinated,” she said.

The ACT’s double-dose rate for people aged 12 and over is 79.5 per cent.

Monday also marks the return to the classroom for all year 11 and 12 students.

It’s the first part of a staged return to in-person learning, with early childhood, preschool to year two, as well as years six, nine and 10 going back to the classroom from October 25.

AAP

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.