ACT records 1305 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday; Canberra hospitals managing highest ever case load

There are 24 COVID-19 patients being cared for in ACT hospitals, including five in intensive care. There are four people requiring ventilation.

There were 3112 negative tests received in the 24 hours to 9am on Saturday. There are 4941 active cases in the ACT.

More than 20 per cent of ACT residents aged 18 and over have received their booster vaccination dose.

The ACT reported 1246 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, the first time the territory recorded more than 1000 cases in a day.

It comes after the ACT reintroduced a range of health restrictions, which came into effect from noon on Saturday, to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

Limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings could also return after the ACT posted its first daily case increase of more than 1000 since the pandemic began.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the growing caseload combined with a worrying situation in NSW demanded swift action.

Mr Barr announced licenced venues - including bars, nightclubs, and cafes - will be required to ensure their patrons were sitting while eating and drinking from midday Saturday.

"Mandatory face masks, density limits and other public health measures for businesses and indoor venues will also continue," he said.

"Events will continue with ACT Health working closely with event organisers to ensure COVID safety plans are in place."

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Australia is on track to report more than 100,000 COVID-19 cases in a day for the first time since the pandemic began.

NSW reported 45,098 new COVID-19 infections on Saturday, though the real number of cases is thought to be significantly higher.

There were 1795 people in NSW hospitals receiving treatment for the virus-induced disease, with 145 people in intensive care. Nine people died in the 24 hours to 8pm on Friday.

On Friday, there were 13,784 COVID cases being cared for outside hospital settings in NSW, and 253,998 low-risk cases self-managing their infections.

There were 51,356 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Victoria on Saturday, along with nine deaths.

Of the new cases in Victoria, 24,928 were positive PCR tests and 26,428 were positive rapid antigen tests.

There are 644 people hospitalised in the state and 106 people in intensive care with the virus, 24 of whom were receiving ventilation support.

The Victorian Health Department said the high number of cases reported in the state was due to a time lag on reporting of rapid tests. Victoria had reported 21,461 cases on Friday.

"Most people who reported a positive rapid antigen test got that result earlier in the week, and reported it when the webform opened yesterday," the department said.

"The number of people who actually received their positive rapid antigen test result yesterday was 5932."

A reporting system for rapid antigen test results in the ACT will be available next week, following a national cabinet decision to drop the requirement for a PCR test to confirm an infection of the virus.

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