Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
No new COVID-19 infections detected in NT
Health restrictions remain for three Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory with no new COVID-19 cases recorded in the latest period.
November 30, 2021
The Northern Territory has detected no new COVID-19 infections but health restrictions remain in force across multiple Indigenous communities.
The current outbreak remains at 58 cases.
“That’s really good news,” Health Minister Natasha Fyles told reporters on Tuesday.
“Importantly, some of the key indicators we have been using have also given us some positive results today.”
Wastewater testing returned negative results in Katherine, 320km south of Darwin.
Vaccination rates continue to climb in the town with Ms Fyles saying it’s almost reached 80 per cent double dosed.
A lockout in Katherine and its surrounding area of unvaccinated people will remain in place until December 7.
Meanwhile, wastewater testing in the remote Aboriginal community of Lajamanu, 900km south of Darwin, has returned a weak positive result.
The community of about 1000 was put into lockdown on Saturday after the virus was detected in wastewater samples.
But Ms Fyles said this may have come from a traveller and not a resident, and health workers continue to test community for the virus. No cases have been identified.
Binjari Aboriginal community, 330km south of Darwin, remains in a hard lockdown with residents only permitted to leave their homes in an emergency or for medical treatment.
Testing also continues in the community of about 200 people with Ms Fyles saying restrictions may be eased if no new cases are detected.
Robinson River also remains locked down as testing continues.