ACT Health have today confirmed a second case of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in Canberra.

The case is a close contact of the previously reported Omicron infection.

Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said authorities believed the first case originated from New South Wales, and were working with NSW Health to identify the source. 

Ms Stephen-Smith said the government were taking a cautious approach to Omicron due to the lack of information on the new variant.

“Currently the impacts of this variant are unknown, including its rate of transmission, the severity of the disease and the effectiveness of the vaccine against it,” Ms Stephen-Smith said. 

“And that is why ACT health authorities are taking a precautionary approach in increasing the quarantine requirements, even for people that are fully vaccinated, and adding those quarantine requirements for secondary household contacts at this time.”

Meanwhile, the ACT recorded six new COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

There are six people in hospital with active or cleared cases of the virus as of 8pm last night. Two of those are in intensive care with neither requiring ventilation.

There are now 110 active coronavirus cases in the ACT with the total number of cases at 2,032 since the start of the Canberra outbreak in August.

1,292 negative test results were returned in the 24 hours to 9am today.

Meanwhile, NSW recorded 286 new COVID cases with Omicron cases now up to 15 in the state, while Victoria reported 980 new infections.

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