The Northern Territory has recorded four new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
Three cases are linked to the NT outbreak, bringing the total number of cases to 71:
· A male child from Katherine who is a close contact of a previously reported case. The child was already in the Centre for National Resilience (CNR).
· A male teenager from Katherine who is a close contact of a previously reported case. He is being transferred to the CNR today.
· A female teenager from Katherine who is a close contact of a previously reported case. She is being transferred to the CNR today.
The remaining case is not connected to the NT outbreak as they are an international arrival from London. The man in his 60s arrived in the NT on 10 December 2021 and is in the CNR.
There are currently 191 active close contacts in the NT, with further contact tracing underway.
More than 2000 COVID-19 tests were processed across the NT yesterday, including 263 tests in Katherine and 182 in Alice Springs.
A number of wastewater results from across the Northern Territory have come back positive. This outcome may indicate that a person who has recently recovered from COVID-19 is shedding fragments of the virus, or there are unknown cases of COVID-19 in the community.
Wastewater samples with detected fragments of COVID-19 from the following areas require further investigation regarding the above factors:
· Bulla
· Dagaragu
· Kalkaringi
· Lajamanu
· Pigeon Hole
· Tennant Creek
Following the detection of positive waste water results, a 72-hour mask mandate will be introduced in these communities and the surrounding homelands at 2pm today, to reduce any potential spread of COVID-19. This requires masks to be worn when outside of the home.
A mask mandate remains in place for Barunga, Manyallaluk and Katherine. Beswick community remains in lockout.
It is important that everyone across the Northern Territory, who has been to Katherine in the past two weeks and has symptoms, get tested for COVID-19.
COVID-19 testing sites are open in Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, Nhulunbuy and Darwin. 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
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
· Maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres where possible.
