Man in his 90s the first COVID-related death of ACT virus outbreak

The man's death was announced on Monday morning after he was one of the confirmed positive cases at the Calvary Haydon Retirement Community.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the man had been ill prior to testing positive and was fully vaccinated.

"Sadly we were notified of the death of a man in his 90s with COVID-19," Mr Barr said.

"The man had been receiving end of life care at the Calvary Haydon aged-care facility prior to being diagnosed with COVID-19.

"He had been extremely unwell prior to contracting COVID-19. This is the first death where COVID is a contributing factor in this current outbreak and brings the total number of COVID-related deaths to four since the start of the pandemic.

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"Our thoughts today are with the man's family and friends at this difficult time. He was well cared for and his family have asked us to pass on their thanks to the staff for their compassion at this difficult time."

There are 14 cases linked to the aged care facility in Bruce. Mr Barr announced a total of 19 new positive cases on Monday, with eight in hospital and three of those on ventilators.

Residents of Calvary Haydon have been in lockdown for almost a week after a staff member tested positive.

Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said she "wouldn't be surprised" if more cases are linked to the Calvary Haydon outbreak.

"We certainly wouldn't rule out seeing more cases as a result of that particular cluster," she said.

She said there are existing close contacts who are not currently cases, but that could change.

"I absolutely wouldn't be surprised if we saw an increase in cases associated with that cluster, I hope that's not the case."

Mr Barr expects daily case numbers to rise to into the hundreds as Canberra moves towards reopening next month.

Canberra recorded three deaths in the early part of the pandemic last year, but the man from the Calvary Haydon facility is the first associated with the Delta variant of the virus.

"It serves as a reminder for everyone that COVID is real," Mr Barr said of the man's death. "It will take people from us, at whatever stage of life.

"I want to use this opportunity to reinforce the importance of getting vaccinated. I would encourage everyone who is yet to get a first dose, to do so. To check with GPs, with your chemist or the mass vaccination hubs - get an appointment."

Grandmother Jacqui Maddison was the first person to die of COVID-19 in Canberra last year, her family revealing her identity earlier this year to mark one year since her death.

Labor MP Ged Kearney's father-in-law Mike was the second person in Canberra to die from coronavirus on April 3. The third person to die from COVID-19 in the ACT was a woman in her 60s, who was also a passenger on the Ruby Princess.

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