ACT records 20 new local Covid-19 cases

The ACT has recorded 20 new locally acquired cases of Covid-19, as the capital’s outbreak continues to grow.

The ACT has recorded 20 new cases of Covid-19, of which only seven were in quarantine for their entire infectious period.

Seven were infectious in the community for part of their infectious period, while six are still under investigation.

There are ten people in hospital, two of whom are in the intensive care.

A decision on whether the Canberra lockdown will end next week has not yet been made. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The ACT’s lockdown is slated to end next Friday, with Chief Minister Andrew Barr yet to be drawn on whether that will go ahead.

“I am very acutely aware of the need to also consider the economic and mental health impacts of ongoing restrictions,” he said.

“But, if the virus gets out of control in Canberra, we will experience even greater challenges. We can’t let that happen.

“It will be a balancing act over the coming weeks and months. The best thing the community can do, that any individual can do, is to get vaccinated as soon as we possibly can.”

More than 70 per cent of Canberrans have now had their first dose of the vaccine. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

More than 70 per cent of the eligible population has now received their first dose of the vaccine.

The ACT is now the first jurisdiction in Australia to achieve the milestone of 80 per cent of over 70 now being fully vaccinated.

Mr Barr said that was something for Canberrans to be proud of.

“Based on the number of first doses, we expect to reach 95 per cent fully vaccinated in coming months,” he said.

In addition, more than 90 per cent of the over 50s population has had their first dose, and 85 per cent of people aged in their 40s have had a jab.

“That’s an encouraging sign. We expect those groups to track toward 95 per cent fully vaccinated in coming months,” Mr Barr said.