The ACT has recorded 17 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm Sunday, after Canberra marked its first weekend out of lockdown.
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Of the new cases 11 are linked. Seventeen people are in hospital, with nine in intensive care.
There were 1578 negative tests on Sunday, after a drop to 1508 on Saturday prompted concern. There are currently 441 active cases.
On Sunday, authorities expressed concern about the level of testing. It was about half the level of testing the previous Saturday.
Chief health officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said it was important residents continued to get tested as soon as they felt even the mildest of symptoms.
"Testing remains a vital step in the way we manage COVID-19, especially now that we have eased restrictions," Dr Coleman said.
"We are strongly urging Canberrans to continue to get tested with the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms and as soon as symptoms start.
"While the risk is lower, it is important everyone remembers that even if fully vaccinated, you can still contract COVID-19 and pass it on to others, especially to those who are unvaccinated."
Monday also marks the return to the classroom for all year 11 and 12 students.
It's the first part of a staged return to in-person learning, with early childhood, preschool to year two, as well as years six, nine and 10 going back to the classroom from October 25.
Vaccination rates
79.5 per cent of Canberrans aged 12 and over are now fully vaccinated.
The ACT has stopped reporting vaccination rates over 99 per cent to avoid confusion and anomalies, that could see its official rate going beyond 100 per cent.
The Commonwealth has stopped reporting specific percentages above a 95 per cent threshold to avoid anomalies caused by lags in population data.
Around Australia
Meanwhile, NSW has reported 265 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 and five deaths, as thousands of children head back to school and more restrictions are eased for fully vaccinated adults.
There are 606 people in NSW hospitals with COVID and 132 in intensive care.
More than 80 per cent of people over 16 are now fully vaccinated in NSW, which on Monday triggered a promised second stage easing of restrictions as the state continues to emerge from nearly four months of lockdown.
Victoria has reported 1903 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases and seven deaths, as Melbourne prepares for an early exit from its long-running sixth lockdown
The health department confirmed the state now has 22,327 active cases.
There were 69,825 tests processed and 32,405 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered at state-run hubs on Sunday.
The snap three-day lockdown in Hobart and Southern Tasmania will end at 6pm on Monday as planned but masks will still be required until at least Friday.
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein confirmed on Monday morning that Public Health had confidence it had prevented any further spread based on contact tracing and testing.
There were 1463 tests on Sunday and no further positive results had been returned. Of the almost 170 close contacts, just six were left to come back.
Current mask restrictions will remain, however.
READ MORE:
- ACT cut-off to avoid official vaccination rate above 100%
- 'Kind of had to go back': Staff concerned for return of unvaccinated patrons
- Live updates: Canberra about to hit 80% fully vaccinated rate
- Govt sets date for end of free parking, brings back mobile speed cameras
- Some libraries and Access Canberra service centres to reopen soon
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