Media Release
NT Health COVID-19 re-infection period reduced to four weeks in NT
13 July 2022
NT Health has revised the COVID-19 reinfection period from 12 weeks down to four weeks following advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC).
The reduced reinfection period is due to the latest BA4 and BA5 variants driving a rise in COVID-19 infection and reinfection in the Territory.
Territorians are now required to re-test for COVID-19 if they experience symptoms 28 days after their COVID-19 infection. Positive results will be reported and managed as new cases.
In line with the national approach, passengers travelling on outbound international flights from the Territory are no longer required to wear a mask while on the plane. Masks are still required on domestic flights and inbound international flights.
COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS
There were 455 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the NT in the 24 hours to 4pm on 12 July 2022. The number of active cases is 2,532.
There are currently 43 patients in hospital including two patients who require oxygen and two patients in the ICU.
The current rise in COVID-19 cases is a timely reminder for Territorians to stay up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations to make sure they have the best protection.
A fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is now available for all Territorians aged 30 years and over at participating GP clinics, pharmacies, respiratory clinics, urban and remote health clinics and Aboriginal health clinics.
To help stop the spread of COVID-19, all Territorians should:
o Wear masks indoors, and outdoors when social distancing is not possible
o Stay at home if you’re unwell, even if your symptoms are mild
o Take a Rapid Antigen Test if you experience symptoms and register positive results online [https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/symptoms-testing]
Free Rapid Antigen Tests remain available from a number of participating GP clinics, remote and urban primary health clinics and Aboriginal health clinics across the Northern Territory. They can also be purchased from pharmacies and supermarkets. For a full list of distribution points visit [https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/symptoms-testing]
Some people who test positive for COVID-19 are more at risk of becoming seriously ill. Anti-viral treatments are available for those at moderate to high risk but timing is critical. Treatments are most effective when taken within 5 days of symptoms first starting. Talk to your GP or other hospital specialist to discuss your care options and work out which risk group you are in. For more information visit [https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/living-with-covid-19/managing-your-covid-19]
Quotes attributable to NT Health Acting Chief Health Officer, Dr Charles Pain
“COVID-19 cases have been steadily increasing over the last few weeks in the Territory and we are now seeing a rise in hospital admissions in the Top End Region, particularly at Royal Darwin Hospital this week.
“There are a number of people getting sick enough to need hospital care, and while our hospitals have plans in place to manage this it is important we do our best to avoid getting COVID and increasing hospital admissions.
“We are expecting the third COVID-19 wave in the NT to peak in the next week, before case numbers begin to fall slowly again.
“Vaccination still remains our best defence and I strongly urge all Territorians to get vaccinated."
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