Daily COVID-19 infections in the ACT have remained above 1000 for the second day as hospitalisations increase.
The ACT reported 1094 new infections to 8pm on Wednesday. This takes the territory's pandemic case tally to 84,013. A total of 1149 new cases were reported for the previous day after a period of lower new infection numbers.
This comes after ACT Health reported the death of a woman in her 90s with COVID-19 on Tuesday. The death toll for the territory since the pandemic began is at 43.
A man in his 80s from the Queanbeyan-Palerang LGA died with COVID over the weekend.
There were 49 people in Canberra hospitals with COVID in the 24 hours to 8pm Wednesday, including three people in intensive care and two under ventilation. Previously, the ACT had 42 people in hospital with four in intensive care and two ventilated.
The ACT now has 5514 active cases of coronavirus, up from the 5491 reported on Wednesday. Of the new cases, 674 were reported through PCR tests and 420 via rapid tests.
Fourth doses available for vulnerable groups
The first dose vaccination rate for children aged five to 11 is at 80.4 per cent.
Meanwhile, fully vaccinated people aged over five make up 96.3 per cent of the ACT population. The percentages have decreased from 98.7 per cent due to a revision in ACT Health's population estimate. The proportion of people triple vaxxed rose to 73.9 per cent.
This comes as second boosters become available for vulnerable people across the capital. Eligible groups include: those 65 and older, Indigenous Australians aged at least 50, disability-care residents and the immunocompromised.
Around Australia
NSW has recorded 22,255 new COVID-19 cases and 16 deaths in the 24 hours to 4pm.
On Wednesday the state reported 24,151 new infections and 15 lives lost.
There are 1437 COVID-19 patients in hospital, with 48 in ICU.
Hospitalisation numbers are down on yesterday, when 1444 patients were being cared for with 51 in ICU.
The 22,255 new cases come as thousands of NSW health workers walk off the job, calling for a pay rise in an ongoing industrial dispute with the government.
Under the state's wages cap, public sector pay increases cannot legally exceed 2.5 per cent but the Health Services Union maintains this is not enough with inflation running at 3.5 per cent.
The union is campaigning for a 5.5 per cent increase "to account for the impact of the pandemic and the surging cost of living".
Meanwhile, Victoria recorded 12,314 new cases and four deaths. There were 283 people in hospital and 12 in intensive care.
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