ACT records 887 new COVID-19 infections; around 10 per cent of schools impacted by COVID-19

There are now almost 6500 active COVID-19 cases in the Territory. Photo: ACT Health.

The Territory has recorded 887 (374 PCR and 513 RAT) new COVID-19 infections in the last reporting period to 8 pm last night.

It takes the total active cases to 6444 (3344 PCR and 3100 RAT). There have now been 119,548 (73,482 PCR and 46,066 RAT) infections recorded in the ACT since the pandemic began.

There are now 75 people in hospital with the virus. Of these, five are in ICU and one person requires ventilation.

The double-dose vaccination rate for the ACT’s five-plus population remains 97.1 per cent and 75.8 per cent of residents aged 16 and older have now received a booster.

Of ACT residents aged five to 11, 66.6 per cent have received two doses of vaccine.

The AIS mass vaccination clinic will close its doors on 31 May after administering almost 286,000 jabs over the pandemic.

Health authorities say demand for booster doses has now slowed to the point it can be managed by the primary healthcare network.

Student cohorts at multiple ACT schools will be learning remotely today due to COVID-induced or exacerbated teacher shortages.

Years 2 and 3 at Red Hill Primary School and years 4 to 6 at Weetangera Primary School and Amaroo School will be home all week.

Students in Years 3 to 6 at Latham Primary School will return to school on Wednesday (18 May), and students in Years 4 to 6 at Namadgi School and Years 5 and 6 at Caroline Chisholm School will be back on Thursday.

Students in Years 3 to 6 at Palmerston Primary School, Macgregor Primary School and Franklin School will be back on campus tomorrow.

This constitutes around 10 per cent of ACT public schools.

Last week, health authorities said they will continue to monitor the number of COVID-19 cases reported in school-aged children as an increase has been recorded in that cohort in recent weeks.

Interstate, NSW has reported four deaths overnight and 8286 new cases of COVID-19.

There are now 1437 people in hospital with the virus and 65 people in ICUs around the state.

Victoria has reported five deaths overnight and 11,464 cases of COVID-19.

There are now 526 people hospitalised with the virus, while 31 patients are in the state’s intensive care units.