ACT records 20 new virus cases, residents urged to isolate after testing

The ACT has recorded 20 new local COVID-19 cases overnight amid warnings the territory faces "challenging" months ahead.

Of the new cases, nine are linked and at least seven were infectious in the community, Chief Minister Andrew Barr said.

There were more than 3000 tests, and it was "another great day, a record" in vaccines for the territory, Mr Barr said.

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More than 4700 doses were administered yesterday.

Over 80 per cent of the population aged over 70 are fully vaccinated. Mr Barr said he believes the ACT is the first jurisdiction in the country to achieve this.

But Mr Barr warned the ACT faced critical weeks ahead. If case numbers jump, residents will not be able to ease restrictions in the coming weeks.

Mr Barr urged people to isolate while they are waiting for test results.

He said it is not an opportunity to go to the shops or grocery story on your way to or from the test.

The only way to ease restrictions in the coming weeks is if people follow the health orders and get vaccinated as soon as they can with whatever vaccine is available.

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"To be as blunt as I can be, if the virus gets out of control in Canberra, we will experience even greater health and economic impacts than we are now," Mr Barr said.

"The best thing that the community can do… is to get vaccinated as soon as you can.

"I know there's some people that really just don't seem to care about the community.

"(But) most of the transmission is occurring when someone gets infected and brings the virus back into their home."