A Canberra man in his 70s has died with COVID-19 as the total number of infections in the ACT since the pandemic began passes 90,000.
The ACT reported 1074 new infections to 8pm on Wednesday. This takes the territory's pandemic case tally to 90,567. A total of 1073 new cases were reported for the previous day.
There were 56 people in Canberra hospitals with COVID in the 24 hours to 8pm Wednesday, including one people in intensive care who is also under ventilation. Previously, the ACT had 61 people in hospital and two intensive care also under ventilation.
The tally for COVID-19 related deaths in the capital has now hit 47.
This comes after NSW Health reported the death of a woman in her 70s in the Queanbeyan Palerang region on Tuesday. In the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday, the local government area recorded 140 new infections.
The ACT now has 5535 active cases of coronavirus, down from the 5676 reported on Wednesday. Of the new cases, 635 were reported through PCR tests and 439 via rapid tests.
ACT Health has released the following age breakdown:
- 0-4: 68 (6%)
- 5-11: 51 (5%)
- 12-17: 85 (8%)
- 18-24: 114 (11%)
- 25-39: 362 (34%)
- 40-49: 152 (14%)
- 50-64: 172 (16%)
- 65+: 70 (7%)
ACT Health has also flagged it will not update case numbers on Friday or Sunday.
Booster shots edge towards 75 per cent
The first dose vaccination rate for children aged five to 11 is at 80.6 per cent.
Meanwhile, fully vaccinated people aged over five make up 96.6 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 74.5 per cent.
Mitchell testing site temporarily closed
The COVID-19 PCR testing clinic at Mitchell has been temporarily closed for Thursday afternoon.
A small crew will remain on site to distribute Rapid Antigen Tests.
Canberrans who are seeking a PCR test can attend an alternative clinic.
ACT Health has advised that team members at the Mitchell clinic have been redeployed to other parts of Canberra Health Services to meet workforce demands.
Mitchell is expected to re-open for usual operation on Friday.
Deltacron and Omicron XE variants
A new hybrid variant of COVID-19 has been detected in Australia.
The first cases of the 'Deltacron' were reported on Friday by NSW Health.
Known as a recombinant variant, it is one of two concerning strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus currently spreading across the world.
The other variant of note is the Omicron XE, which at the time of publication, was yet to be seen in any great number in Australia.
However, because the Omicron XE and Deltacron are based on known strains, it's likely these recombinants will respond well to vaccines.
Around Australia
NSW has recorded 17,856 new COVID-19 cases and 21 deaths in the 24 hours to 4pm.
There are 1582 COVID-19 patients in hospital, with 71 in ICU.
Hospitalisation numbers are similar to yesterday, when 1583 patients were being cared for with 71 in ICU.
Of the new cases, 9791 came from positive rapid antigen tests while 8065 came from PCR testing.
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