ACT records 15 new cases, bringing total outbreak to 556

Canberra has recorded another spike in cases as the capital’s total outbreak surges towards the 600 mark.

Canberra has recorded 15 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases, bringing the national capital’s total outbreak to 556.

Of the 15 new cases, five were in isolation for their entire infectious period, while the remaining 10 were contagious out in the community.

Eleven of the transmissions have been linked to existing cases and four remain under investigation.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr confirmed nine Canberrans were now in hospital with Covid-19, including one person in intensive care.

Canberra’s lockdown was extended by another four weeks on Tuesday and is now set to end on October 15.

Canberra’s lockdown was extended by another four weeks on Tuesday and is now set to end on October 15. Picture: Newswire/Gary Ramage.

Mr Barr said restrictions would be eased gradually, moving through phases that will see home visitation limits and caps on gatherings gradually increase and a staged return to office buildings.

“We expect restrictions to gradually change through these vaccination phases in October and November, with the caveat that they may need to be adjusted to respond to increased risk of Covid-19 spreading,” he said.

“When looking to change our public health restrictions, we'll consider those national and local vaccination rates and the levels of community transmission – especially the proportion of cases infectious in the community.”