20 August 2021

UPDATED: Supermarkets added to list of ACT exposure sites

| Lottie Twyford
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9:30 am: Queanbeyan Woolworths and Amcal Pharmacy have been identified as the first exposure sites in the ‘border bubble’ after Queanbeyan recorded two positive COVID-19 tests on Thursday (19 August).

Anyone who visited the supermarket or pharmacy from 9:00 am to 11:30 am on Monday (16 August) is considered a casual contact and must get tested and self isolate.

NSW Deputy Premier and Member for Monaro John Barilaro said yesterday that both people lived in Queanbeyan but worked in the ACT. He also described Queanbeyan as an area of concern and said cases there were likely to grow.

The lockdown in regional NSW has been extended until at least 28 August, in line with Greater Sydney after the state yesterday recorded another record of 681 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19.

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There are several testing clinics operating in Queanbeyan and across the Monaro, some of which are assisting ACT Health in processing large numbers of tests.

Speaking on breakfast radio this morning, the Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said wait times for tests had rapidly decreased in line with demand.

Some people had reported only waiting around one hour for a test yesterday afternoon.

Ms Stephen-Smith attributed this to fewer people coming forward for testing, doing so in a more orderly manner, improved logistics and the success of targeted testing around large cohorts, such as the aged care facility and schools.

She reiterated that she expects the number of cases to go up and down in the next few days, given there are over 21,000 people in quarantine and more than 240 exposure sites listed on the Government’s website.

There are more currently more than 500 health and medical professionals in isolation or quarantine.

Check the full list of exposure sites.

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Ms Stephen-Smith encouraged Canberrans to continue to be patient as they wait for responses from her office or ACT Health, but urged people not to send generic emails.

She said all of the team is busy processing the requests they are sent.

Ms Stephen-Smith also noted the frustration being felt by vulnerable Canberrans who cannot attend testing clinics and may need in-reach testing or other support. She said they are closely focused on this issue and are working on providing an inclusive response.

People who do need accessible testing are encouraged to call the COVID-19 hotline 6207 7244 or the direct contact tracers’ number they will have been provided with.

Ms Stephen-Smith clarified that people who live in postcodes outside the border bubble must apply for an exemption to enter the ACT, including for health-related appointments.

More to come.

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Just went past Yarralumla shops. So much for getting your take away and moving from the area. It’s packed outside with people eating and drinking there so called takeaway. And no masks to be seen

Were they socially distanced? If so, then it’s very low risk. The incidence of outdoor transmission is vanishingly low.

The author might want to clarify teller effected bus routes.

Above you talk about route 415 and 341. These are actually the fleet number of the bus not the route.

Capital Retro5:42 pm 20 Aug 21

Wouldn’t it be the buses that are hosting the infection?

It is. But the article clearly says route 415, and in fairness so too does the Covid exposure website.

If I were reading the article and I hadn’t been on route 415 (which hasn’t existed for 30 odd years) I wouldn’t take any notice. But if for example it said route 41 or R3 (which are the two routes that serve John Cleland Dr) I would take a bit more notice.

Capital Retro8:11 pm 20 Aug 21

The buses are so empty these days one would have to be really stiff to catch it on board one.

Yes, they are bus rego numbers. Bus rego numbers identifies the actual bus that was infected.

People just need to check their CBR Check-In history.

I’m assuming that people are using the CBR Check-In app on the bus (and light rail)!

Whilst you are right Ken, again every other transport exposure they have identified route and bus/tram fleet number.

As I said above if I was reading an exposure as being on route 415 I wouldn’t bother looking at my app as I know I haven’t been on a 415. If however it said route 41 and I knew I would be on a 41 I would then see if I had been on it. Also one would hope if I had a record by checking in I would be contacted.

And capital retro maybe kids need to use the bus as they have no choice. Which appears to be the case here if you put two and two together. Also exposure was before lockdown and buses were not haha quiet.

I have been. But when I last travelled on buses, before lockdown, I didn’t notice anyone else checking in. However, I wasn’t watching everyone the whole time.

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