The Northern Territory has recorded its first ever case of COVID-19 community transmission, prompting a three-day lockdown of the Katherine region which is now in effect.
Key points:
- A man in his 20s tested positive to COVID but the source of his infection is unknown.
- The case is the first in the NT of community transmission
- The case has triggered a three-day lockdown in Katherine and three-day lockout in Greater Darwin from 12.01am Friday
It follows an unvaccinated man in his 20s testing positive after spending time in the community in the Greater Darwin area and Katherine.
Under the lockdown, which started at 12.01am Friday, Katherine residents are only permitted to leave their homes for five reasons: to receive medical treatment, access essential goods or services, perform essential work, exercise or provide care and support.
The case also means Greater Darwin, including Palmerston and the rural area, will enter the Territory's first "lockout" for the next 72 hours.
Under the lockout, fully vaccinated people will be required to wear a mask when outdoors but can otherwise continue life as normal.
However, unvaccinated people will be subject to full lockdown restrictions, including only being able to leave their home for the five reasons.
During the lockout period, people inside the designated area are not permitted to leave and people outside are not able to enter, except for essential workers.
Vaccinated residents have been urged to have proof of their vaccine status on them when out in the community as they will be subject to checks, including from venues.
There will be a $5,000 fine for anyone caught breaching restrictions.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner announced the new measures at an emergency press conference held about 10pm on Thursday.
He said the positive case, who is a contract worker at RAAF Base Tindal outside of Katherine, was tested on Wednesday after developing symptoms the previous day, and returned a "strong positive" result on Thursday evening.
He said authorities were concerned because they did not know the source of the infection.
"The man has not travelled outside of the Territory recently. That means he caught the virus inside the Territory," he said.
Mr Gunner said the man could have been exposed to COVID-19 as far back as October 19, but was likely only infectious in the community from Sunday, October 31, to Tuesday, November 2, when he began isolating.
Five exposure sites have been identified so far. They are:
- Monsoons Nightclub in Darwin on Friday, October 29, at any time
- An Equinox fishing charter that left Darwin on Sunday, October 31, and went from 6am to 2pm
- The Noonamah service station in Noonamah on Monday, November 1, at 6:30am
- The Tindal RAAF Base near Katherine on Monday, November 1, and Tuesday, November 2, between 6:30am and 5pm on both days
- The Katherine Club in Katherine on Monday, November 1, between 5pm and 6pm
Mr Gunner said anyone who had been to an exposure site at the relevant times was required to isolate immediately, book a COVID-19 test and remain in isolation until they received further advice.
He urged people to protect themselves and others from COVID-19 by getting vaccinated as soon as possible.
"This is another reminder that we didn't want that the Territory is absolutely vulnerable to COVID-19, and it's a reminder that you don't have to go interstate to get it, you don't have to be a frontline worker to get it," he said.
"It's here. Anyone can get it. You can get it.
"But you are more likely to catch COVID if you are unvaccinated, and you are way, way more likely to get seriously ill from COVID if you are unvaccinated."
A further update about the case is expected on Friday morning.
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2021-11-04 12:57:12Z
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