The Northern Territory has recorded one new case of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
A male in his 20s from Katherine has tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases connected to the NT outbreak to 68.
There are currently 191 active close contacts in the NT, with further contact tracing underway.
Almost 2900 COVID-19 tests were processed across the NT yesterday, including 438 tests in Katherine.
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 additional cases of COVID-19 in the community, or people in home quarantine.
Wastewater samples with detected fragments of COVID-19 from the following areas require further investigation regarding the above factors:
- Alice Springs
- Barunga
- Beswick
Public Health Measures
Following the detection of positive waste water results, the below public health measures will be introduced:
Beswick
Beswick will enter into a 72-hour lockout at 2pm. A Rapid Assessment Team has been dispatched to manage the response, undertake COVID-19 testing and provide COVID-19 vaccinations.
Under a lockout, fully vaccinated residents are able to live normally within the lockout area. Everyone must wear a mask outside of their place of residence. Travel is not permitted outside of the lockout area.
Unvaccinated residents, including those people who have received only their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, must stay at home during a lockout period and are only permitted to leave for the following five reasons:
- Medical treatment, including COVID testing or vaccination
- For essential goods and services, like groceries and medications
- For work that is considered essential and can’t be done at home
- For one hour of outdoor exercise a day within 5 km from your home with one other person or people from your house
- To provide care and support to a family member or person who cannot support themselves.
Barunga
Due to the high vaccination rate in Barunga, the decision has been made not to implement a lockout at this time. A 72-hour mask mandate will be introduced to reduce any potential spread of COVID-19. This requires masks to be worn when outside of the home.
Anyone with symptoms in Barunga, particularly those people who have recently visited Katherine, need to go to the clinic and get tested for COVID-19.
Alice Springs
There are currently about 375 people undertaking home quarantine in Alice Springs. It is critical, those people are complying with the requirements and are following the COVID-19 testing regime.
It is important that anyone with symptoms get tested for COVID-19. The Todd Drive Through COVID-19 Testing Site is open until 8pm today. Book your test online at https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/symptoms-testing
Katherine
It is important that anyone with symptoms get tested for COVID-19.
A mask mandate remains in place until Wednesday 15 December 2021.
To arrange a COVID-19 test please book online at https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/symptoms-testing 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.
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
- 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.
