Australian Government Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly has today declared the local government areas (LGAs) of Greater Darwin and Katherine Town Council, and some localities within the Unincorporated Top End Region, a Hotspot for the purpose of Commonwealth support. This is from 11:59pm on 17 August 2021, for an initial period of two days until 11:59pm on 19 August 2021, with review on or before this date. Included in the Hotspot are the LGAs of Belyuen Community Government Council, City of Darwin, City of Palmerston, Litchfield Council, Wagait Shire Council and Katherine Town Council (including Tindal), and the Unincorporated Top End Region localities of Bynoe, Charlotte, Cox Peninsula, Dundee Beach, Dundee Downs and Dundee Forest.
The Northern Territory yesterday announced the detection of a case who was infectious in the community in Darwin and in Katherine. This case poses a risk of transmission to others within these areas, including into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This declaration aligns with the Northern Territory Government's announcement of a 'lockdown' for these regions.
Professor Kelly reminds the community of the risk and requests they continue to follow the directions of Northern Territory Health.
Declaring a hotspot for Commonwealth support triggers, if required:
- Provision of PPE from the National Medical Stockpile
- Actions for aged care facilities including PPE, single site workforce supplement and integration of an aged care response centre into the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre
- Assistance with contact tracing
- Asymptomatic testing via General Practitioner led Respiratory Clinics
- Reprioritisation of vaccine supplies, if required
- Access to COVID-19 Disaster Payment, if eligibility criteria are met
- Two Medicare Benefits Schedule items for telehealth consultations for patients in COVID-19 hotspots.
