CANBERRA  hit a record high of 32 new covid cases in the 24 hours to 8pm last night (September 3). 

“Not what we wanted,” a grim-looking Chief Minister Andrew Barr told today’s covid press briefing. “However, half were close household contacts.”

Of the 31 cases, 24 can be linked, and eight were in quarantine; worryingly, 19 spent time in the community and five are still under investigation.

Mr Barr said contact tracers would be in for a busy weekend.

“What can we do?’ he asked rhetorically before listing three things

1. Get vaccinated, there was plenty of walk-in AstraZeneca available.
2. Come forward and get tested immediately.
3. Follow public health directions and wear a face mask properly.  

He said there were more than 2500 covid tests performed yesterday and warned that the “ordinary weather” would likely close some of the outdoor testing sites.

Chief health officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said there were 239 active cases, which she characterised as a “high number”.

She said there were 10 people in hospital with covid. Their ages ranged from under 16 to over 54. Two people were in intensive case and one on a ventilator.

Mr Barr said Police made 773 traffic stops and ordered three people out of the ACT.

In business compliance, inspectors were reporting people not wearing marks and workers not checking in to their workplaces.