ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman has warned Canberrans against complacency as the territory records its 105th case of COVID-19. Photo: Region Media.
One new positive case of COVID-19 has been reported in the territory today (24 April). ACT Health is investigating how the man in his 60s acquired the virus.
Despite the new diagnosis, the number of active cases in the ACT has fallen to five, and the only person who was in hospital because of the virus has been released.
Over 90 per cent of Canberrans have recovered from the virus while the number of negative tests in the ACT has eclipsed 7,300.
ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman indicated that the man had minimal interactions with other people and ACT Health will contact anybody who is identified as a close contact.
More cases are also expected, Dr Coleman said, as she used the announcement to warn Canberrans against complacency in the face of falling diagnoses.
“As we have been saying, this pandemic is not over and we do expect to see more cases in Canberra,” Dr Coleman said.
“We are still in a very good position here in the ACT as this is only our third confirmed case in the past two weeks.
“This latest case is good reminder of why we have physical distancing rules in place. I ask all Canberrans to continue to comply with the directions that are in place to protect our whole community.”
The ACT Government and CHO are urging all Canberrans to stay home this long weekend to stop the spread of the virus and help the ACT avoid community transmissions.
“This year we will observe Anzac Day in a different way and we encourage the community to commemorate by holding your own dawn service at the end of your driveway at 6:00 am tomorrow morning, or by observing a minute of silence at 11.30 am,” Dr Coleman said.
“The safest thing to do tomorrow is to stay at home. If people wish to lay a wreath or leave a poppy at a significant site across Canberra, please do so in groups no more than two people, keep a distance of 1.5 metres from people, maintain good respiratory hygiene, and leave the area as soon as possible.”
More information on COVID-19 testing, symptoms and precautions can be found at www.COVID19.act.gov.au.
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