ACT outbreak grows as Canberra records 32 new Covid-19 cases

Canberra has been warned to brace for a tough Spring as 32 new locally-acquired cases were recorded overnight.

Canberra’s latest coronavirus cases have been released. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The ACT has been warned to brace for a “tough Spring” as the Canberra Covid-19 outbreak ballooned by another 32 locally-acquired cases on Saturday.

The 32 new cases brings the ACT’s total to 359, with 239 active cases across the state.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said another 32 new cases had been recorded overnight.

While announcing the figures at the daily coronavirus press conference, Chief Minister Andrew Barr said thousands of additional vaccine doses would go to health practitioners in the coming weeks.

Mr Barr said the state was due to receive another 87,000 vaccine doses, which would be delivered “week by week” to GPs and pharmacists.

These doses are part of the federal government’s deal with the UK under 4 million dose Pfizer swap.

Mr Barr could not speculate about the current lockdown being extended, telling reporters he was concerned as 19 people were infectious in the community.

Another 10 have been hospitalised, with one person currently on ventilation.

Gym equipment is taped off during lockdown at Commonwealth Park in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Barr said it would be a “tough Spring” for the ACT.

“We are very conscious of the mental health, the economic consequences of public health directions,” he said.

“But it is abundantly clear from the experience of other Australian jurisdictions that if you lose control of the virus in the community … things (will) get worse than they are now.”

Chief health officer Dr Kerryn Coleman acknowledged it was high numbers but warned numbers would continue to fluctuate with transmission in the community.

She urged anyone who had even the mildest symptoms to stay home and get tested.

“I acknowledge we may not always get this right … we will constantly review the level of risk to our community and will adjust these settings accordingly,” she said.

Originally published as ACT outbreak grows as Canberra records 32 new Covid-19 cases