Chief Health Officer warns against COVID complacency as ACT records fewer cases compared with previous period

On Sunday, the ACT recorded 823 new cases, down from 939 cases in the previous reporting period.

Of the new cases, 434 were from PCR tests and 389 from rapid antigen tests.

Sixty nine people were in hospital with the disease as at 8pm Saturday, compared with one fewer previously.

Three are in intensive care with none requiring ventilation.

The territory has 5692 active COVID cases and the total number of cases recorded since the start of the pandemic is 104,941.

In a video update on Sunday, Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman spoke about the ACT surpassing 100,000 confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic.

"Our daily case numbers do remain high, telling us that the threat of COVID-19 is still very real, it is still there out in the community," Dr Coleman said.

Despite the high numbers, she said it was reassuring that "numbers have remained quite steady in the past few months".

"We have seen and we will continue to see some ebb and flow in these numbers, but we still know that for the majority of people, the Omicron variant is mild and most people will feel better in three to seven days," she said.

Dr Coleman urged people to continue being "responsible for the actions we take to minimise transmission and exposure to others by being COVID smart".

"Please do it to protect yourself and protect others," she said.

She also spoke about the latest changes to the public health directions in which household contacts no longer needed to quarantine.

"We have introduced these changes after taking into consideration what we know about COVID in our community, its severity, the amazing vaccination rates...but also looking at how the restrictions have impacted on our community members," Dr Coleman said.

"Now that household contacts can leave their homes as long as they have no symptoms of COVID-19 and if they can comply with risk mitigation requirements, it's really important that each individual makes an assessment as to whether they really need to leave their home, if they can delay or postpone their reason for going out."

Dr Coleman said household contacts must not leave their homes if they develop any symptoms.

They must undergo a test and isolate until a negative result is received.

"But even if that test is negative, you still need to stay at home until your symptoms clear up," Dr Coleman said.

"I do hope that these changes will provide some relief to many workplaces and businesses that have been under pressure due to workforce shortages.

"Also being able to go outside for a walk should help those of us who may have struggled being stuck inside for that seven-day period."

Vaccination rates are not update by ACT Health on weekends. The latest data:

NSW on Sunday announced 9303 new cases, down from the 11,709 previously, and five deaths.

Of those new cases, 4607 were from rapid antigen tests and the rest from PCR tests.

Seventy five of the 1604 people in hospital are being ventilated.

Victoria recorded 7654 new cases, down from the 9064 cases in the previous period, and seven deaths.

The bulk of the new cases came from rapid antigen tests and the state now has 55,513 active cases.

In Queensland, 5333 new cases were recorded from 3161 rapid antigen tests and 2172 PCR tests.

No deaths were recorded and 446 people were in hospital with 14 of those in intensive care.

The sunshine state has 37,609 active cases.

Western Australia recorded 5551 new cases to 8pm last night with 221 people in hospital.

Seven are in intensive care while the state has 43,437 active cases.

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