2 December 2021

ACT still Omicron-free but eight new COVID-19 cases recorded

| Lottie Twyford
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Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said more than nine people have now been confirmed as close contacts of a confirmed case of the Omicron variant. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

The ACT has recorded eight new cases of COVID-19 in the last reporting period to 8 pm last night, although it’s understood there are still no confirmed cases of the Omicron variant recorded in the Territory.

With the additional cases, there are now 128 active cases in the Territory.

Of the Territory’s 12-plus population, 97.9 per cent are now fully vaccinated.

The ACT recorded 1747 negative test results up to 8 pm last night.

There are a total of seven active and cleared cases in ACT hospitals as of 8 pm yesterday, including three in intensive care and one on a ventilator.

Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said as of 8 pm on 30 November, nine individuals have been identified as close contacts of a confirmed case of the Omicron variant and are being supported in quarantine by ACT Health.

She said this number has since increased, although she did not provide updated figures.

Yesterday, the ACT recorded four new cases.

Only one new exposure site has been listed on the ACT Government’s COVID-19 website. Canberra Indoor Rock Climbing is classified as a casual contact exposure location from 11:30 am to 12 pm on Saturday, 27 November.

No new schools have been identified as exposure sites.

READ ALSO ACT’s future COVID-19 pandemic legislation’ narrower in scope’ and with more safeguards than Victoria’s

Today in NSW, there are 271 new cases and no deaths.

There are now six confirmed cases of the Omicron variant in the state.

There are 134 people in hospitals across the state with the virus and 24 in ICU.

NSW Health said 94.6 per cent of the 16-plus population has received their first dose, and 92.6 per cent has had two doses.

In Victoria, there are 1419 new cases and 10 deaths.

There are 288 Victorians hospitalised with COVID-19, and more than 91 per cent of the state’s eligible population (12 and over) is fully vaccinated.

There are still no confirmed cases of the Omicron variant in Victoria, although the state’s Health Minister Martin Foley said he wouldn’t be surprised if the variant was already “ticking along out there at the moment”.

The Victorian Government’s pandemic legislation is expected to pass today after a marathon session in both houses.

More to come.

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