Canberra Covid-19 cluster grows to 28 cases, lockdown extended for another 2 weeks

A concerning spike in locally acquired Covid-19 infections has triggered a major lockdown extension in Canberra.

Canberra’s lockdown has been extended for an extra two weeks after 19 new local Covid cases were recorded.

The national capital’s outbreak has now grown to 28 cases.

With the two week extension, the ACT’s lockdown is now set to end on September 2 instead of August 19.

The new cases included a student from Lyneham high school and a worker from the Greenway Views retirement village in Tuggeranong.

Chief Health Minister Andrew Barr said the retirement village was now in full lockdown.

The worker who brought Covid-19 into the facility had received her first dose of the vaccine and was unknowingly infectious during her shift.

“This is a serious situation. We do not want to see the numbers continue to grow and we do not want to see exponential growth as we have seen in other jurisdictions,” he said.

Canberra’s lockdown has been extended by two weeks. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Barr said there was also “particular concern” for attendees at the University of Canberra High School Kaleen last Monday, urging anyone who were there at that time to get tested and quarantine immediately.

“This is a serious situation. We do not want to see the numbers continue to grow,” Mr Barr said on Monday.

Mr Barr urged Canberrans to continue following lockdown rules.

With 19 new community cases, the ACT has announced 11 new exposure sites. Anyone who attended the following locations at the dates and times specified must complete an ACT Contact Declaration Form, quarantine immediately, and get tested for COVID-19.

The new exposure sites include:

- Lyneham, Lyneham High School, Aug 9, 8:30am - 3:30 pm.

- Public Transport Bus Route 30 – Dickson to Kaleen (Stops Cowper Street Dickson to - Kaleen High School), Aug 9, 3:43pm - 4:10pm

- Mawson Al Manoosh Bakery, 47 Mawson Place, Aug 9, 12pm-1:00pm

- Kaleen, Instrumental Music Program Rehearsal Room, UC High School Kaleen, Aug 9, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

- Lyneham, Lyneham High School, Aug 10, 8:30am - 3:30pm

- Canberra City Coffee Guru Canberra Centre, Shop K05, Canberra Centre, 148 Bunda Street, Aug 10, 12pm - 1:00pm

- Bruce Club Lime – CISAC, 100 Eastern Valley Way, Aug 10, 6:30pm - 8:15pm

- Lyneham, Lyneham High School - Goodwin Street, Aug 11, 8:30am - 3:30pm

- Bruce Club Lime – CISAC, 100 Eastern Valley Way, Aug 11, 4:45pm - 7:15pm

- Lyneham, Lyneham High School - Goodwin Street, Aug 12, 8:30am - 3:30pm

- Canberra City Coffee Guru Canberra Centre, Shop K05, Canberra Centre, 148 Bunda Street, Aug 12, 10:45am - 12pm

Testing arrangements for Lyneham High School will be announced later on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Lyneham high school - one of the new exposure sites - was thrust into quarantine after the student tested positive to Covid-19.

In an email sent to parents and staff, principal Rob Emanuel confirmed the student was infectious at the school from Monday to Thursday last week.

Any staff, students, visitors and volunteers who attended the school have been classified as close contacts. Their household members will also be required to quarantine as secondary contacts.