The ACT extends lockdown after reporting 19 new COVID-19 cases

The ACT's COVID-19 outbreak has grown to 28 as Canberra's lockdown is extended for another two weeks.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr Source: AAP

Canberra's lockdown will be extended for another two weeks as the ACT records another 19 coronavirus cases.

The new cases take the ACT's outbreak to 28 and include a worker at a Tuggeranong aged care centre as well as a student at Lyneham High School.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr says the lockdown will be extended for another two weeks until 2 September, with case numbers expected to rise in coming days.

"As today's figures demonstrate, the virus is active in our community," he told reporters on Monday.

"This is a serious situation.

"We do not want to see the numbers continue to grow and we do not want to see exponential growth."

He pleaded with residents to stay home.

"The best thing that you can do to support yourself, your family and friends and our community is to stay at home. It is that simple. If you have any symptoms, or you are identified as a close contact, please come forward for testing."
The Greenway Views village is in lockdown after a worker did three shifts while infectious.

It's the ACT's first confirmed case in a retirement village.

Meanwhile, a student from Lyneham High School who attended the city's inner north campus for four days has tested positive.

Canberra's lockdown was initially slated to end this Thursday.

There were 5,723 tests conducted across the ACT on Sunday, with testing capacity to be extended over coming days.


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Published 16 August 2021 12:26pm
Updated 16 August 2021 1:11pm



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