ACT records 15 new local Covid-19 infections bringing outbreak to 439

Canberra has recorded 15 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases, bringing the national capital’s total outbreak to 439.

Canberra has recorded 15 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases, bringing the national capital’s total outbreak to 439.

Of the 15 new cases, five were in isolation for their entire infectious period, while “at least” eight were contagious out in the community.

Thirteen of the transmissions have been linked to existing cases while two remain under investigation.

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

Three of the nine hospitalisations had received one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Mr Barr announced the ACT was set to hit the 50 per cent fully vaccinated target for its adult population by Friday.

“This is a really encouraging start to the vaccination program for under 40s,” he said.

But the Chief Minister made it clear that this did not mean Canberra’s public health directions were set to change anytime soon.

Canberra's lockdown began on August 12 and is currently set to end on September 17. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage.

“There are still people who have not yet had access to a vaccine,” Mr Barr said.

“It remains the (ACT) government‘s very firm view that these people should be given that opportunity before we make significant changes to our public health directions.”

Mr Barr also rejected any suggestion that he would follow in NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s footsteps by introducing special freedoms and privileges for those who were fully vaccinated.

“Given that the difference between 70 and 80 per cent vaccination coverage in the ACT is about 37,000 vaccinations, at 8000 vaccinations a day, that is five days of vaccinating,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that because of this, it was pointless to develop, implement and enforce a vaccination privileges program which would only be necessary for five days.

“This is just a solution looking for a problem in the ACT - that's just the practical reality of it,” he said.

Mr Barr also said that incentivising vaccine uptake with the promise of specific freedoms was simply unnecessary given widespread jab willingness across the ACT.

“We don't need the QR code or the vaccine passport as a way to drive up vaccination rates - that’s not an issue in the ACT,” he said.

“The only thing that is holding back this community from getting to 95 per cent vaccination is the available vaccine supply.”

The ACT’s lockdown is currently set to end on September 17.

Mr Barr said an update would be provided to Canberrans next Tuesday outlining the nature and extent of public health restrictions moving forward.