6 December 2021
The Northern Territory has recorded three cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
One case is linked to the NT outbreak, bringing the total number of cases to 61:
· A female child from Katherine has tested positive for COVID-19. She was transferred overnight to Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH). She is not a known contact and contact tracing is underway.
The remaining two cases are not connected to the NT outbreak and were not infectious while in the community:
· A male in his 20s who arrived from Melbourne on 29 November and was in home quarantine with a previously recorded case of COVID-19 who had tested positive. He has mild symptoms, is fully vaccinated and is under the care of NT Health at the Centre for National Resilience (CNR).
· A female in her 60s who arrived on a flight from London on 29 November has tested positive for COVID-19. She was in home quarantine with one other person. They will both be transferred to the CNR.
A false-positive test has been confirmed for the female who arrived in Darwin on Jetstar flight JQ 692 from Adelaide on 2 December. She has returned a subsequent negative test and is no longer required to quarantine.
A male in his 50s with COVID-19 is currently in a stable condition in ICU at the RDH.
There are currently 161 active close contacts for cluster two, all of whom have been contacted, are isolating and have returned a negative test.
Wastewater test results for the Bicentennial Road catchment site in Katherine and Lajamanu are positive. SA Water is today re-testing some wastewater samples taken from NT catchment sites to ensure interpretations are accurate.
Katherine lockout extended for 24 hours
The lockout for the Municipality of Katherine, including Rockhole, has been extended for 24 hours until midday on Wednesday, 8 December. This is to allow for contact tracing to take place following the locally acquired positive case recorded overnight and for a testing blitz to be undertaken in Katherine.
Binjari will transition to a lockout at midday tomorrow, 7 December, enabling movement to Katherine for people who are fully vaccinated.
COVID-19 testing
More than 2,000 COVID-19 tests were processed across the NT yesterday.
It is critical that anyone in the Territory, especially residents from Katherine, who have symptoms get tested for COVID-19 immediately to help prevent the spread of the virus.
The Katherine Hospital Pandemic Clinic (Drive-Through Testing Site) is open from 9am until 4:30pm. Bookings are preferred.
The Katherine East Side Clinic is located in the Youth Outreach Building in the Eastside Shop Complex and is open from 9am to 4:30pm. Bookings are preferred.
COVID-19 testing sites are also open in Greater Darwin, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy. Testing is also available at NT Health clinics in remote communities.
To arrange a COVID-19 test please book online at here or contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 490 484
Border entry and home quarantine
There are currently more than 1,000 people in home quarantine across the NT. NT Health is increasing its COVID-19 testing capacity to meet demand. The Marrara Drive-Through Testing Site in Darwin has re-opened and operating hours will be daily from 10am to 6pm. Bookings are preferred.
It is important all people in the NT check the COVID-19 website regularly to review the list of NT public exposure sites here.
To reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in our communities, it is important for everyone to follow all health directions and vaccinations for all those eligible.
· Book your COVID-19 vaccine here
· Check in using The Territory Check In App every time, everywhere
· If you have symptoms, stay away from others and get tested for COVID-19
· Wash your hands with soap and water and use hand sanitiser regularly
· Do not go to work if you feel sick
