18 August 2021

There have been 22 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the ACT in the past 24 hours.

There are now 67 active cases associated with this outbreak.

As of 9am this morning ACT Health continues to work with over 10,000 people who have self-identified as close contacts of ACT outbreaks.

There are currently no COVID-19 patients in Canberra hospitals.

It was another big day of testing in the ACT yesterday with over 8,000 tests collected across the ACT from both Government and private providers.

ACT Pathology, along with our private providers returned 6,630 negative test results in the 24 hours to 9am today.

Our vaccination efforts continue across the ACT with total vaccine doses administered now at 176,174.

Additional close and casual contact exposure locations have been identified. We ask Canberrans to please continue to check the ACT COVID-19 website regularly as the list of locations is updated as our investigations continue.

We now have over 190 exposure locations listed for the ACT.

Canberrans are asked to keep up to date on new locations on the ACT COVID-19 website, with exposure sites expected to grow in the coming days.

New school cases
Four (4) of today’s new confirmed cases of COVID-19 are linked to three new school communities. These include:

  • UC Lake Ginninderra College,
  • Harrison School, and
  • St Thomas Aquinas Primary School.

ACT Health is working closely with the Education Directorate and the school principals to communicate with staff and students on these exposure locations and testing arrangements.

Testing update
We continue to see record numbers of testing taking place across the Territory, with an approximate turnaround time of 24 hours.

The drive through Kambah testing site has opened to the general public from 8am today. It will operate each day between 8am – 4pm.

We are also currently planning for another southside testing site. Once arrangements are finalised, further information will be provided.

Stay COVID safe
With the Delta strain of COVID-19 actively being transmitted, now is not the time to become complacent. The Delta strain of COVID-19 is dangerous and very easily transmitted.

Remember that during lockdown you should only be interacting with other people in your household. You should not have any family gatherings and do not have parties with friends.

If undertaking essential activity out in the community – wear a mask, maintain good hand hygiene, keep your distance and use the Check In CBR app.

Thank you to all Canberrans who are following lockdown rules to keep the community safe. It is critical we take every precaution during this time to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the ACT.