ACT records 24 new COVID-19 cases, hits vaccination milestone

The Australian Capital Territory has recorded 24 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, with 18 linked and six under investigation.

Of the new cases, 15 were in quarantine for their infectious period, while six were in the community and three remain under investigation.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said there are 15 people in hospitals with COVID-19 this morning, including four patients in intensive care.

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Mr Barr also announced the ACT was the first jurisdiction to reach the milestone of having more than 50 per cent of residents aged 16 and above receiving both doses of a COVID-19 vaccination.

The chief minister said the territory has released 30,000 additional vaccination appointments, to coincide with an increase in Pfizer supply.

Mr Barr said people with existing bookings could bring them forward.

"The next eight weeks is a race to get as many Canberrans vaccinated as possible," Mr Barr said.

"The additional supply of Pfizer, in both ACT government clinics and across the primary health network, will help us achieve our goal of getting more than 85 per cent of the ACT population over the age of 12 vaccinated."

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Mr Barr also dismissed reports that ACT students may not return to school in the early weeks of Term 4.

He said the government will provide further information on schools next Tuesday.