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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Lanie Tindale

New infections slightly down again, hospitalisations steady

In-depth COVID

The number of new COVID infections recorded in the ACT was relatively down, while hospital admissions remained steady, according to the latest data.

There were 80 people with COVID-19 in hospital in the 24 hours to Saturday 8pm.

Of those, two patients are in the ICU but none are being ventilated.

The ACT recorded 643 new COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours until 8pm Saturday. Of those, 365 were from PCR tests and 278 from rapid antigen tests.

Of the new cases, 114 were aged between 40 and 49 years.

The ACT's COVID-19 death toll is 68, with a woman in her 70s dying with the virus on Thursday.

Saturday's new cases by age group

  • 0-4 years: 37
  • 5-11 years: 68
  • 12-17 years: 49
  • 18-24 years: 44
  • 25-39 years: 167
  • 40-49 years: 114
  • 50-64 years: 93
  • 65+ years: 71
  • Total: 643

From Sunday, the Mitchell drive-through testing centre will be open for all age groups, ACT Health said.

It was previously only available to people aged over five years, but there is now a dedicated park and test bay for children and babies to use.

The Mitchell drive-through will be open from 10.30am to 6pm, including on Sunday and Monday.

From Tuesday it will be open from 8am to 6pm daily.

Testing centres open on the Queen's Birthday

  • COVID-19 Surge Centre at Garran: 7.30am to 9pm (all ages)
  • Mitchell COVID-19 drive through testing: 10.30am to 6pm (all ages)
  • Holt Capital Pathology: 8am to 12pm (all ages)
  • Kambah COVID-19 drive through testing 8am to 12pm (5 years +)

COVID-19 vaccinations

The double dose vaccination rate in the ACT remains 97.3 per cent for people aged over five years.

  • Aged 5-11 years (1 dose): 80.6 per cent
  • Aged 5-11 years (2 doses): 68.4 per cent
  • Aged 5+ years (2 doses): 97.3 per cent
  • Aged 16+ years (3 doses): 76.9 per cent

Around Australia

Australia has had its worst May on record when it comes to flu cases, prompting experts to warn this season will redefine what it means to be ready for the virus.

NSW

  • Deaths: 5
  • New cases: 5387
  • Hospitalisations: 1255
  • ICU: 455
  • Ventilation: Unknown

Victoria

  • Deaths: 16
  • New cases: 4766
  • Hospitalisations: 454
  • ICU: 27
  • Ventilation: 5

Queensland

  • Deaths: 1
  • New cases: 2383
  • Hospitalisations: 329
  • ICU: 7
  • Ventilation: Unknown

South Australia

  • TBA

Tasmania

  • Deaths: 0
  • New cases: 489
  • Hospitalisations: 39
  • ICU: 3
  • Ventilation: Unknown

Western Australia

  • Deaths: 2
  • New cases: 4900
  • Hospitalisations: 261
  • ICU: 7
  • Ventilation: Unknown

Northern Territory

  • Deaths: 0
  • New cases: 163
  • Hospitalisations: 18
  • ICU: 0
  • Ventilation: 0

Our coverage of the health and safety aspects of this outbreak of COVID-19 in the ACT is free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support. You can also sign up for our newsletters for regular updates.

Canberra Health Services lab molecular scientist Jenny Ridgway and acting lab manager Lynette Chairuka. Picture: Keegan Carroll
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