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NT records no new cases overnight, but Chief Minister Michael Gunner warns next two days are ‘crucial’

Melissa IariaNCA NewsWire
Chief Minister Michael Gunner said while there was lots of testing and tracing to do, things were ‘looking more positive’. Julianne Osborne
Camera IconChief Minister Michael Gunner said while there was lots of testing and tracing to do, things were ‘looking more positive’. Julianne Osborne Credit: News Corp Australia

The Northern Territory recorded no new Covid-19 cases overnight, but Chief Minister Michael Gunner has warned the next two days are “crucial”.

Mr Gunner announced on Thursday the number of cases linked to the cluster between Katherine and Robinson River remained at 19.

“This is good news, but it’s not a day to get ahead of ourselves,” he said.

“We will not presume it means we have trapped the virus.

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“This is Delta. This is in large, vulnerable households.

“We’re not out of the woods. The next day or two remain crucial.”

Of the 19 cases, nine were fully vaccinated, two had one dose, five were unvaccinated and three were not eligible to be vaccinated.

NT covid presser
Camera IconChief Minister Michael Gunner says the next two days will be ‘crucial’. Julianne Osborne Credit: News Corp Australia

Mr Gunner said authorities are still waiting on “a lot” of test results back from the remote Aboriginal community at Robinson River, almost 800km from Katherine, which are expected on Thursday afternoon.

“There are close contacts yet to be tested or have their results returned. There are close contacts yet to be found and there will be more close contacts identified,” he said.

“There’s also a strong chance of close contacts who have tested negative returning a positive test in coming days. The next few days remain crucial.”

Another exposure site has emerged at a BP service station in Katherine on November 13, from 2.40pm to 4pm.

Anyone who attended the venue between those times is deemed a close contact.

“Please call the Covid hotline and identify yourself as a close contact. You will need to isolate and get tested and remain isolated even after a negative test,” Mr Gunner said.

Investigations are also ongoing surrounding MacFarlane Primary School in Katherine, with 10 adults and 28 children now identified as close contacts.

Mr Gunner said while there was lots of testing and tracing to do, things were “looking more positive”.

There are now 384 close contacts identified for the cluster between Katherine and Robinson River but only 288 have been contacted and are isolating. Of these, 201 returned a negative test.

Authorities expect genomic sequencing for the cluster to arrive later on Thursday.

Mr Gunner said the results will be “extremely important” as they will confirm whether this outbreak — known as cluster two — is linked to four cases found in Greater Darwin and Katherine in early November, known as cluster one.

“Our belief remains that they are most likely linked. Until we have this link we cannot assume,” he said.

Chief Minister Covid presser
Camera IconVaccination rates in Katherine remain a ‘concern’, Mr Gunner says. Glenn Campbell Credit: News Corp Australia

Mr Gunner said the 71 per cent vaccination rate in Katherine remained a “concern” and urged people to get the jab.

“We need to see vaccination rates lift in Katherine,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, the entire Robinson River community had been tested, with authorities to also visit nearby homelands on Thursday.

Mr Gunner said results are still due to come in and more testing may be needed to be certain any virus was caught.

Meanwhile, the high vaccination rate of Robinson River had been “crucial”.

“There’s only 15 people that remain to receive a first dose and I understand they all want to be vaccinated today,” he said.

A lockdown will remain in force in Katherine and Robinson River until 6pm Monday.

A full list of exposure sites can be found on the NT government website.

Originally published as NT records no new cases overnight, but Chief Minister Michael Gunner warns next two days are ‘crucial’

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