COVID-19 warning sign at Tuggeranong. Photo: File.
One new case of COVID-19 has been recorded in Canberra over the past 24 hours. ACT Health believes there is a link with overseas travel although the case is still under active investigation.
The individual is a woman under 30 and her diagnosis brings the total number of ACT cases to 106.
Although there had been no new diagnoses for some days, a positive case was also reported on 24 April. That case, a man in his 60s, is also still under investigation as ACT Health undertakes contact tracing in an attempt to determine the origin of the infection.
Thre is currently one COVID-19 patient in a Canberra Hospital and an ACT Health spokesperson said the patient is in a stable condition. Locally, three people have died as a result of the virus.
Ninety-eight people have now recovered from COVID-19 in the ACT and have been released from self-isolation. The remaining active cases are isolating at home with ACT Health support.
The ACT has recorded three deaths, but 7632 negative tests have been recorded.
The ACT’s COVID-19 testing criteria have now been widened to include people who show symptoms but have not travelled overseas recently, been a close contact of a confirmed case or met the previously expanded criteria.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the ACT’s designated COVID-19 testing sites at EPIC and the Weston Walk-in Centre would be taking samples from all symptomatic people who present over the next two weeks.
However, people will still need to have COVID-19 symptoms in order to be tested: a fever of 38 degrees or greater or history of fever such as night sweats, or acute respiratory illness such as shortness of breath, a cough or sore throat.
If tested, people will be required to self-quarantine until they receive a negative test result.
ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman is reminding everyone to continue to do the right thing this long weekend and to stay at home.
“With nice weather today we know that Canberrans will want to get out and about. Whilst we understand that staying active and connected is important, please avoid any unnecessary travel, gatherings of people, and do not use playgrounds, skate parks, outdoor exercise stations or dog parks.
“The safest thing to do this weekend is to stay at home. If people wish to lay a wreath or leave a poppy at a significant site across Canberra for Anzac Day, please do so in groups of 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,” she said.
The ACT Government has established a dedicated COVID-19 website for all information about the health and economic response to the pandemic in the ACT. For further information visit www.covid19.act.gov.au.
The ACT Government has also established a helpline to assist Canberrans through the challenges of COVID-19. The COVID-19 Helpline is now live and will operate on 02 6207 7244 between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm daily.
People who are concerned and want further information on the virus, can also call the Australian Government’s Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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