ACT reports 16 new cases amid 'enormous' vaccine frustration
The ACT has recorded 16 new COVID-19 cases as Chief Minister Andrew Barr expressed concern about vaccine delays.
At least 11 of the new cases spent part of their infectious period in the community.
Seven are linked, and the remainder are under investigation.
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ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr says he is frustrated by vaccine delays in the territory. Getty
Mr Barr said he had heard anecdotal reports of vaccine shortages in the ACT and it was "enormously" frustrating.
"We would have preferred to have greater certainty coming into October, we hope we will get that sooner rather than later," Mr Barr said.
"We've been very conservative with our approach, ensuring we would never cancel any bookings because vaccines weren't available."
Mr Barr said he was continuing to press the Federal Government hard for further vaccine supplies.
The more people who are vaccinated, the fewer number of cases, the fewer in hospitals and less in ICU, the chief minister stressed.
"I'll fight hard for this jurisdiction to get access to the vaccines that are necessary to achieve that goal," he said.
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Mr Barr said he had heard anecdotal reports of vaccine shortages in the ACT. Getty
Mr Barr appeared frustrated by some reporter questions during his COVID-19 update this morning.
He accused some journalists of running 'a line" and said "maybe I have a higher value on human life and protecting people".
ACT Deputy Chief Health Officer Vanessa Johnston gave a breakdown of the current 674 coronavirus cases in the territory.
She said there are 211 active transmissions with 463 recovered cases.
From today's 16 new cases, seven are linked, the remaining nine are under investigation.
Dr Johnston said the length of time patients spend infectious in the community varies.
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