While Canberra hospitalisations have dropped, there were 42 more new cases recorded on Wednesday compared to the day before.
The ACT recorded 874 new COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours until 8pm on Wednesday. Of those, 528 were reported via PCR tests and 346 from rapid antigen tests.
There were 82 people with the virus in hospital during the same time period, a drop of two people since Tuesday.
Of those, four patients are in the ICU and zero require ventilation.
Of the new cases, 45 were aged under the age of four.
MORE COVID-19 NEWS:
Thursday's new cases by age group
- 0-4 years: 45
- 5-11 years: 58
- 12-17 years: 69
- 18-24 years: 76
- 25-39 years: 278
- 40-49 years: 157
- 50-64 years: 129
- 65+ years: 62
- Total: 874
The ACT's COVID-19 death toll remains at 64. A man in his 70s died on Tuesday, and a woman in her 90s died on Monday.
Meanwhile, Canberra pharmacists have warned of possible supply issues with flu shots, with demand expected to surge in states where free vaccines are being offered.
ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith has said the government would consider expanding free access.
And while the COVID-19 pandemic has left some office buildings looking empty, Canberra office occupancy levels have hit their highest level in nearly a year.
According to former prime minister Julia Gillard, working from the office may be a good thing for Australian women.
COVID-19 vaccinations
More than 30 per cent of children aged between five and 11-years-old have not being given two COVID-19 vaccine doses in the ACT.
Nearly one in five of children in that age group have not had one vaccine jab.
- Aged 5-11 years (1 dose): 80.6 per cent
- Aged 5-11 years (2 doses): 68.1 per cent
- Aged 5+ years (2 doses): 97.3 per cent
- Aged 16+ years (3 doses): 76.6 per cent
Around Australia
Roughly 28 per cent of Australians have had COVID-19 at some point.
However, that does not mean those people cannot catch the virus again.
An Australian study has found media reporting in the early months of the pandemic stoked anti-vaccination fears and rhetoric.
NSW
- Deaths: 23
- New cases: 7583
- Hospitalisations: 1066
- ICU: 30
- Ventilation: Unknown
Victoria
- Deaths: 9
- New cases: 10204
- Hospitalisations: 525
- ICU: 28
- Ventilation: 8
Queensland
- Deaths: 11
- New cases: 4169
- Hospitalisations: 316
- ICU: 7
- Ventilation: Unknown
Western Australia
- Deaths: 9 (including historical deaths)
- New cases: 8292
- Hospitalisations: 285
- ICU: 6
- Ventilation: Unknown
Tasmania
- Deaths: 0
- New cases: 765
- Hospitalisations: 42
- ICU: 1
- Ventilation: Unknown
Northern Territory
- TBA
South Australia
- TBA
Our coverage of the health and safety aspects of this outbreak of COVID-19 in the ACT is free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support. You can also sign up for our newsletters for regular updates.
Lanie Tindale
I am a reporter at The Canberra Times, and was previously a trainee. I have covered various topics at the masthead, including courts, federal politics, breaking news, features and opinion. I previously worked in digital news. I am now a general news reporter, with a focus on health. lanie.tindale@canberratimes.com.au.
I am a reporter at The Canberra Times, and was previously a trainee. I have covered various topics at the masthead, including courts, federal politics, breaking news, features and opinion. I previously worked in digital news. I am now a general news reporter, with a focus on health. lanie.tindale@canberratimes.com.au.
