‘Winter doses’ for vulnerable Canberrans are being rolled out today. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
The ACT has recorded 739 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8 pm last night, and the Territory yesterday passed the milestone of 80,000 infections since the pandemic began.
Today, there are 45 patients in the Territory’s hospitals. Four of them are in the ICU with two being ventilated.
Over the weekend, 808 and 718 new infections were reported on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. There were 41 people in hospital yesterday, including two in intensive care.
The 739 (361 PCR, 378 RAT) new cases of COVID-19 reported this morning takes the Territory’s local active caseload to 5716 (3103 PCR and 2613 RAT).
The double-dose vaccination rate for the ACT’s five-plus population is now 98.4 per cent, and 73.4 per cent of residents aged 16 and older have received a booster.
Of ACT residents aged five to 11, 54 per cent had received two doses.
Since the pandemic began, 80,964 (51,917 PCR and 29,047 RAT) cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the ACT.
Today, ACT Government mass vaccination hubs will begin rolling out fourth, or in some cases, fifth ‘winter’ vaccination doses to eligible, vulnerable Canberrans.
The following groups of people are now eligible for the additional dose:
- Adults aged 65 and over
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and older
- Residents of aged care or disability care settings.
Health authorities have warned that this winter could bring both a spike in COVID-19 cases and influenza infections – the latter of which the Territory has largely been protected from over the last two years thanks to international border restrictions.
ACT Health will roll out a campaign to encourage people to get their flu shot in the coming months.
Last week, Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Vanessa Johnston encouraged any eligible Canberrans who have not yet come forward for a booster dose to do so.
Bookings for boosters at an ACT Government clinic can be made online through MyDHR or by phoning the COVID-19 vaccination booking line on 02 5124 7700 between 7 am and 7 pm seven days a week.
Interstate, NSW has reported six deaths overnight and 15,572 new cases.
There are now 1418 people in hospital with the virus and 56 people in ICUs around the state.
Victoria has reported no new deaths overnight and an additional 10,011 cases of COVID-19.
There are now 305 people hospitalised with the virus, while 17 patients are in the state’s intensive care units.
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