Canberra reports 13 new cases of COVID-19, 84.6% vaccination rate

There were 20 Canberrans in ACT hospitals to 8pm on Thursday night, including 11 in intensive care. Five people were receiving ventilation. There were 21 in hospital, 10 in intensive care and eight receiving ventilation in Thursday's update.

This brings the total number of cases for this outbreak to 1553. There were 386 active cases on Thursday, down from 425 active cases on Wednesday.

There were 1217 negative tests in the 24-hour reporting period to 9am on Friday, well down on the 2048 tests the previous day.

Of Canberrans aged 12 and above, 84.6 per cent have been fully vaccinated.

The big shopping centres of Canberra have started to buzz, ready for shoppers to 'bring life back' to retail.

The change prompted a burst of activity to get the shelves ready for an influx of customers deprived of face-to-face retail therapy for nine weeks.

In other welcome news, the Bunnings snag has been given the go-ahead and could grace Canberran's Bunnings runs from as early as this weekend.

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Cheers erupted as Melbourne awakened from its COVID-19 lockdown as the clock struck midnight.

However, the state has recorded its deadliest day, recording 2189 COVID-19 cases and 16 deaths to the 24 hours to midnight as it re-opens today.

Victoria reached its 70 per cent double-dose vaccination target on Wednesday, while almost 90 per cent of over 16s have had at least one jab.

NSW is bracing for a spike in COVID infections almost two weeks after stay-at-home orders lifted across the state.

It comes as the state recorded five deaths and 345 cases of COVID-19, with vaccination rates continuing to climb to 83 per cent double dose for over 16s.

Health authorities are expecting cases to begin rising in earnest from next week. However, Premier Dominic Perrottet said Wednesday's numbers were still well below expectations.

Meanwhile, Qantas has brought forward international travel, with all initial flights are limited to Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families and parents, including Australians returning home.

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