THE ACT has recorded 17 new covid cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total of active cases to 45.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced the growing numbers just before midday (August 17) and warned that the case numbers will continue to grow. 

Of the new cases, ACT chief health officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said three are unlinked and will be further investigated, 10 are linked to known cases, and four are extremely new cases that came through overnight and require follow-up. 

Out of the 45 active cases, health officials are certain that 37 are linked to cases, Dr Coleman said. Eight are still under investigation.

“We’ve also now identified at least six sites where transmission has occurred, including Fiction nightclub, Downer Community Centre, Gold Creek School, Lyneham High School, Assembly Bar and the Lennock Jaguar dealership site,” she said. 

Included in the new cases are three cases that were unknowingly infectious when they attended the Bruce and Reid campuses of the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT). 

“We are working very closely with CIT to communicate with students and staff the exposure locations,” Dr Coleman said. 

As for the aged care staff member at Greenway Views Village that returned a positive case yesterday, Dr Coleman said no new cases have been reported at the facility at this stage. 

The facility will remain in lockdown and she said it still may see cases. 

In Canberra more broadly, she said the list of self-identified contacts has grown and ACT Health is now working with more than 7500 people self-isolating at home. 

“We also have over 80 exposure locations listed in the ACT. We will reach 100 locations probably by tomorrow or the next day,” she said. 

There are currently no cases in hospital.

30 more as close-contact exposure sites keep growing