Page 36 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 8 February 2022
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We live in a time of great uncertainty. We do not know what is coming next. However, we enter 2022 with optimism, with community resilience, and with a sharp focus on delivering our important legislative, infrastructure and services programs, many of which will contribute significantly to our economic recovery in the months and years ahead.
I present the following paper:
Economic update and the year ahead—Ministerial statement, 8 February 2022.
I move:
That the Assembly take note of the paper.
Debate (on motion by Mr Gentleman) adjourned to the next sitting.
COVID-19 pandemic response—update
Ministerial statement
MS STEPHEN-SMITH (Kurrajong—Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Families and Community Services and Minister for Health) (11.03): I rise to provide my first update of 2022 to the Assembly on the COVID-19 situation in the ACT and the actions taken by the government to protect the health and wellbeing of Canberrans.
The COVID-19 situation here in the ACT and across Australia has evolved significantly since my last update on 2 December 2021, with public health responses adapting rapidly to manage the continued transmission of the Omicron variant of concern. After a difficult couple of months, however, the ACT remains in a strong position, thanks to our nation-leading vaccination coverage, our incredible public health team and healthcare workers, and the efforts of Canberrans to remain COVID safe.
The Omicron variant was first detected in Australia in late November 2021, with the first positive case in the ACT recorded on 3 December. The Omicron variant has now spread to all states and territories in Australia, due to its increased transmissibility, and increased interstate travel and social interaction over the Christmas and new year period. As a result, Omicron has become the dominant variant in Australia, with unprecedented daily case numbers being recorded.
The ACT is working closely with the commonwealth and other jurisdictions, as the national COVID-19 response continues, to ensure that our restrictions are proportionate and effective in responding to the level of risk in the community.
The COVID-19 outbreak in the ACT continues to remain relatively stable at this time. Following a steep increase in cases over the Christmas and new year period, the ACT’s daily case numbers have declined steadily over the past few weeks. As at 8 pm on 6 February, there have been a total of 38,698 cases since the start of the pandemic
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