Canberra recorded 15 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, as the ACT extended its Public Health Emergency declaration until next year.
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The extension comes "in recognition of the ongoing case numbers of COVID-19 in the ACT" and will support the updated public health directions from Friday, according to ACT Health.
High-risk local government areas in Victoria and NSW have been updated for travellers, though only partially or unvaccinated people need to quarantine on return to the territory.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith denied it was in the public interest to tell Canberrans about a party which caused at least 33 COVID-19 infections and disrupted schools as an expert warns of more clusters over the festive season.
It followed news that a house party in Wanniassa attended by up to 150 teenagers on Halloween eve was identified as a COVID superspreading event, generating clusters across a number of schools and colleges.
On Thursday, ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said there were 17 schools affected by COVID-19 exposures.
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Miriam Webber
I report on the public service and politics for the Canberra Times. Reach me at miriam.webber@canberratimes.com.au
I report on the public service and politics for the Canberra Times. Reach me at miriam.webber@canberratimes.com.au
Peter Brewer
Telling the truth and holding agencies accountable must matter to us all. It's also important to tell the story well, and factually. Contact me at peter.brewer@canberratimes.com.au
Telling the truth and holding agencies accountable must matter to us all. It's also important to tell the story well, and factually. Contact me at peter.brewer@canberratimes.com.au
