ACT records 33 new cases of coronavirus as testing rate drops

The ACT has recorded 33 new cases of coronavirus overnight, including nine that are not linked to known infections.

The ACT has recorded 33 new cases of coronavirus, with nine of them mystery infections.

It brings the total number of active cases to 486.

There are 16 people in hospital with the virus, including nine in intensive care.

More than 78 per cent of the population aged 12 and over are now fully vaccinated.

ACT COVID-19 update (17 Oct 2021):
â—¾ New cases today: 33
â—¾ Active cases: 486
â—¾ Total cases: 1,447
â—¾ Negative test results (past 24 hours): 1,366
â—¾ In hospital: 16
â—¾ In ICU: 9
â—¾ Total lives lost: 8
COVID-19 vaccinations: 78.5% of 12+ fully vaccinatedhttps://t.co/2rCcWDk4wlpic.twitter.com/3l8oNkhp1y

— ACT Health (@ACTHealth) October 17, 2021

Chief health officer Kerryn Coleman acknowledged there had been a “noticeable drop” in the number of people getting tested in the past week, which was in part due to the way exposure locations were now classified.

But she urged people to continue to get tested if they developed symptoms.

“Testing remains a vital step in the way we manage Covid-19, especially now that we have eased restrictions,” Dr Coleman said in a statement on Sunday.

“We are strongly urging Canberrans to continue to get tested with the mildest of Covid-19 symptoms and as soon as symptoms start.

“While the risk is lower, it is important everyone remembers that even if fully vaccinated, you can still contract Covid-19 and pass it on to others, especially to those who are unvaccinated.”