The Northern Territory has recorded eight new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. There are now 19 cases in cluster two of the NT outbreak.
Of the newly recorded cases, three are from Katherine and are household contacts of a previously recorded case. This includes:
· 38-year-old male
· 36-year-old male
· 21-year-old female
The remaining five cases are from Robinson River and are household contacts of a previously recorded case. This includes:
· 29-year-old male
· 23-year-old male
· 21-year-old female
· 13-year-old female
· A three-week-old girl.
All new cases are currently in isolation at the Centre for National Resilience (CNR) in Howard Springs, or will be transported today.
Extensive contract tracing is underway and 234 close contacts have been identified to date. So far, 107 close contacts are isolating and have been tested, and 50 have returned an initial negative test. Close contacts will continue to be tested for COVID-19 regularly throughout their 14-day quarantine period.
New public exposure sites have been identified. It is important all people in the NT continue to check the COVID-19 website to review the list of NT public exposure sites here.
Anyone considered a close contact must immediately self-quarantine and call the COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 490 494 so COVID-19 testing can be arranged.
Casual contacts are required to self-quarantine, get tested for COVID-19 and remain in quarantine until a negative test is returned.
Today's wastewater results for Katherine were positive. Wastewater results for Alice Springs, Darwin, Katherine and Borroloola are due back tomorrow.
Testing requirements for anyone who has been to Robinson River since Thursday, 11 November
Anyone who has been to Robinson River (including surrounding homelands) since Thursday 11 November, and has since left the region, must comply with the following requirements:
· unvaccinated people must immediately get tested for COVID-19 and self-quarantine until a negative test is returned
· fully vaccinated people are not required to isolate but must get tested for COVID-19 within the next three days
Testing requirements for anyone who has been to Katherine since Sunday, 7 November
Anyone who has been to the Municipality of Katherine (including Tindal) since Sunday 7 November and has since left the region, must comply with the following requirements:
· unvaccinated people must immediately get tested for COVID-19 and self-quarantine until a negative test is returned
· fully vaccinated people are not required to isolate but must get tested for COVID-19 within the next three days
Lockdown extended for Robinson River
The lockdown has been extended for Robinson River (including the surrounding homelands) until 6:00pm on Monday, 22 November. Strict entry and exit requirements remain in place for Robinson River and each of the surrounding homeland areas.
The lockdown extension is due to new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the community today.
COVID-19 testing
More than 2,100 COVID-19 tests were processed across the NT yesterday. This includes 428 tests completed in Katherine, 70 in Borroloola and 73 in Robinson River. In addition, 65 rapid antigen tests were completed in Robinson River.
It is critical that anyone in the Territory who has symptoms gets tested for COVID-19 immediately to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Symptoms include a cough, headache, fever, shortness of breath, diarrhoea, muscle aches, fatigue, change in taste or smell or a sore throat.
To arrange a COVID test please book online here or contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 490 484, which will remain open until 10:00pm tonight.
The Katherine Hospital Pandemic Clinic (Drive-Through Testing Site) is open daily from 8:30am - 6:00pm, or later as required. Bookings are required.
The Katherine walk-in COVID-19 testing clinic is open daily from 8:30am - 6:00pm, or later as required. No bookings are required.
COVID-19 vaccination
Yesterday 95 COVID-19 vaccines were administered in Katherine and 87 in Borroloola. In line with outbreak management plans, testing and isolating close contacts was prioritised in Robinson River, and door-to-door vaccination will be provided as part the next planning phase. Robinson River has a strong vaccination rate, with 89% of residents having had their first COVID-19 vaccination and 79% are fully vaccinated.
925 COVID-19 vaccinations were administered by NT Health Vaccination Clinics across the Territory yesterday.
It is critical all Territorians get the COVID-19 vaccine. You can book online here or call the COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 490 484.
Contact tracing and the Territory Check-In App
It is critical that all people check in everywhere, every time. Checking in with The Territory Check-In App is fast and secure and allows health teams to quickly undertake contact tracing. The Territory Check-In App is mandatory for business, organisations and places and venue staff should ask customers to show them that they have checked in.
