The ACT has recorded 17 new coronavirus cases, taking outbreak to 45

The ACT's COVID-19 outbreak has grown to 45 after the nation's capital recorded 17 new cases on Tuesday.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr provides a COVID-19 update. Source: AAP

Canberra's coronavirus outbreak has grown to 45 cases as the nation's capital records another 17 infections.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr warns case numbers will likely grow during a three-week lockdown running until 2 September.

He has implored people to stay at home and flagged a compliance crackdown on essential businesses allowed to remain open.

"We are requiring businesses to take all reasonable steps to ensure that anyone who enters their business gets what they need, and leaves promptly," Mr Barr told reporters on Tuesday.
Mr Barr was concerned about people loitering around retail outlets without adequate social distancing.

The territory recorded 17 infections following 7,380 tests conducted on Monday.

No cases are in hospital and 37 are linked to existing infections. The other eight, including the ACT's first case in 13 months, remain under investigation.

Among a growing list of exposure sites are the Canberra Institute of Technology Reid and Bruce campuses attended by three people who were infectious.

Transmission is confirmed to have occurred at six settings in Canberra, including the city's Fiction nightclub linked to six cases.

Four cases are linked to Lyneham High School, and three each to the Gold Creek School and Downer Community Centre.
General view of Lyneham High School, where a student tested positive for COVID-19 in Canberra, Monday, 16 August, 2021.
General view of Lyneham High School, where a student tested positive for COVID-19 in Canberra, Monday, 16 August, 2021. Source: AAP
No additional cases have emerged at Tuggeranong's Greenway Views village, where an aged care worker did three shifts while infectious. All residents and every staff member onsite were tested on Monday.

Health authorities are prioritising close contacts for testing amid lengthy queues as more than 7,500 people quarantine.

The outbreak casts doubt on the return of federal parliament next Monday, after Mr Barr urged Prime Minister Scott Morrison to consider postponing it.

Parliament House is classified as an essential workplace, meaning it can remain open subject to tight restrictions.


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2 min read
Published 17 August 2021 11:33am
Updated 17 August 2021 1:12pm
Source: AAP, SBS



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