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Friday, March 29, 2024

Canberra records 28 new COVID-19 cases

Canberra has recorded 28 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

Of the new cases, 22 have been linked to known infections, with 14 of those being household contacts.

Nine cases were in quarantine for their entire infectious period, with 16 also being assessed as presenting a risk to others in the community.

The number of people in hospital with the virus has increased to 19, which includes eight in intensive care, six of them on ventilators.

ACT health authorities have said the number of COVID-19 cases associated with the outbreak has risen to 1262, 806 of those having recovered with 33 in the past 24 hours.

There are now 450 active cases in the Territory.

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman noted the total number of cases recorded in the past week is over 200 for the second week in a row.

With higher vaccination rates and more movement in the community, she said daily case numbers are becoming “less important”.

“We are moving towards a COVID normal where we will actually expect to see an ongoing level of community transmission with cases,” Dr Coleman said.

Of the total cases recorded in this outbreak, 72 per cent of cases have been unvaccinated, 17 per cent have had one dose, and 11 per cent have been fully vaccinated.

101 cases have been “outbreak cases”, meaning the individual had their second vaccine dose at least 14 days prior to infection.

“We need to remember that you can still be infected, and you can still transmit the virus,” Dr Coleman said.

155 cases or 13 per cent of the outbreak where the source is unknown and more than 22 cases where the sources are still to be determined.

The latest figures come as the ACT looks forward to ending its lockdown on Friday.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr will announce later on Tuesday further changes to restrictions-easing in Canberra’s COVID-19 roadmap.

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said residents in border communities will be allowed to travel into Canberra for essential reasons for work without having to carry out stay-at-home orders in NSW.

NSW restrictions eased on Monday following the lifting of the state’s lockdown.

“That is going to be a relief for those who live in the surrounding regions who work in the ACT or come for medical care,” she told ABC radio.

“We are looking forward to seeing how the NSW rules change as we come out of lockdown on Friday, as this is an uncertain time for those who travel between the ACT and NSW.”

AAP

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