THE ACT has recorded 15 new covid cases in the past 24 hours with the number of people in hospital increasing to nine.

Eleven of the new covid cases are linked to known cases and exposure locations and four of the new cases are under investigation.

At least eight of these cases were in the community while infectious, while only five were in quarantine during their entire infection period.

At today’s (September 16) covid press conference, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the number of people in hospital with covid has “slightly” increased.

There are nine people with covid in ACT hospitals, one of which is in intensive care and  requiring ventilation.

Whilst announcing the new cases, Mr Barr said testing numbers were down with about 2500 covid tests completed yesterday.

“Again if you have symptoms or have been to an exposure site please get tested,” Mr Barr said.

On vaccinations, he said the territory had reached a 75 per cent vaccination milestone on first doses for people aged 12 and above, and more than half of that age group have now received two doses of the vaccine, he said.

Mr Barr said it was “pleasing” to see that over 97 per cent of staff working in aged care in Canberra had recieved their first covid jab.