There are now 84 cases of coronavirus in the ACT, after five new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours.
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Health authorities say the new cases include three men and two women, aged between 27 and 79.
Of the five new cases, four were linked to overseas travel including cruise ships, while the other is a close contact of a previously confirmed case.
ACT Health said nine patients are in Canberra hospitals after contracting the virus, while eight have recovered and have been released from self isolation.
The remaining cases are at home and socially isolating.
Two patients are in intensive care.
One case is still under investigation as to how they contracted the virus.
However, there has been no evidence of community transmission in the ACT, health authorities say.
ACT chief health officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said on Wednesday it would be inevitable that Canberra would see community transmission.
"We're expecting it sooner rather than later," Dr Coleman said.
"We're in a good position in the ACT, but we will see levels of community transmission in the next few weeks and it's important that we work together to slow the spread."
The death toll from the virus in Canberra remains at one, following the death of a woman in her 80s who contracted the virus while onboard the Ruby Princess cruise ship.
So far, there have been more than 4700 negative tests for the virus carried out in the ACT.
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Health authorities also confirmed on Wednesday that a previously confirmed case of coronavirus had been determined to not have COVID-19 and was removed from the list of total cases.
"ACT Health has taken a very precautionary approach to classifying indeterminate tests that indicate a probable test result," an ACT Health spokesman said.
"In cases where the indeterminate tests indicate it is more likely to be positive than not, the individual has been classified as a confirmed case until further testing can provide a more definitive result.
"As with other confirmed cases, thorough contact tracing is undertaken."
Dr Coleman said the patient was removed from the list of coronavirus cases following detailed contact tracing by health officials.
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
