Media Release
Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet
NT COVID-19 update
21 January 2022
There were 432 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the Northern Territory in the 24 hours to 8pm on 20 January 2022. Of these, 357 were positive cases from a Rapid Antigen Test.
This takes the number of active cases in the NT to about 3,570.
New cases recorded include:
5 cases in Wurrumiyanga. NT Health staff are in the community undertaking testing, contact tracing and providing vaccination.5 cases in Jabiru3 cases in Galiwin’ku1 case in Yirrkala3 cases in Umbakumba8 cases in Yuendumu1 case in Yuelamu12 cases in Utopia7 cases in Kintore4 cases in Areyonga2 cases in Ntaria4 cases at the Old Timers Aged Care Facility in Alice SpringsOne case at the Alyerre Renal Hostel in Alice Springs2 at the Darwin Correctional Centre28 cases at the Alice Springs Correctional Centre over two days (19 & 20 January)
There are currently 62 patients in hospital, with five patients requiring oxygen. There are two patients in ICU.
1,234 COVID-19 PCR tests were processed across the NT yesterday.
Public health measures
To slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community and reduce the rate of transmission the following public health measures are in place across the NT:
The following public health measures remain in place across the NT:
A Territory-wide indoor mask mandateA lockout in Alice Springs, Yuendumu, Yuelamu and Amoonguna until 23 JanuaryA lockdown in Galiwin’ku until 24 January
COVID-19 school-based measures
A range of measures will be introduced in NT Government Schools to reduce the risk of COVID-19 and keep children and young people at school learning as much as possible.
These include:
Air-conditioning systems in every government school have been audited to ensure they meet or exceed relevant standards for fresh air intake and circulation.500 portable air purifiers will be provided to schools that don’t have central air conditioning systems. An additional 150 are on order.Students from Year 3 in primary school will be strongly encouraged to wear masks while indoors at school.Students at middle and senior schools will be required to wear a mask indoors when they can’t physically distance, in line with Chief Health Officer Directions.
COVID-19 testing
Remote school staff will be provided with three Rapid Antigen Tests upon their return to community and will be required to undertake testing on the day they enter the community and again on days 3 and 6.
From the beginning of term, all government school staff will be provided with three Rapid Antigen Tests a week to use as required and as an extra precaution.
COVID positive cases
All people including school staff and students who test positive for COVID-19 are required to undertake at least seven days isolation. For more information visit [https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/living-with-covid-19]
Close contacts in schools
Primary school, pre-school child care
Children with any COVID-19 symptoms or who are unwell should not attend school, pre-school or child care.
Children who are a close contact and have no symptoms of COVID-19 can continue to attend school, pre-school and child care as normal. They are not required to get tested unless they have symptoms.
Middle school and senior school
Students in middle school or senior school who have COVID-19 symptoms or who are unwell should not attend.
Students in middle school or senior school who are a close contact and have no symptoms can continue to attend school if they have a negative Rapid Antigen Test before attending school for the week.
Parents and carers will be notified of any positive cases in the school and if students are a close contact. Students will be provided with Rapid Antigen Tests for the week at school.
School staff and childcare workers
School staff and child care workers who are essential workers and a close contact can attend work if they have no symptoms and have a negative Rapid Antigen Test result each day before attending work, for the week.
COVID-19 testing
Everyone should get tested for COVID-19 if showing symptoms. A number of NT Rapid Antigen Testing and Distribution Points [https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/symptoms-testing] have been established. Individuals can collect RATs for free from NT distribution centres located in Darwin, Katherine, Nhulunbuy, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek.
To reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in our communities, it is important for everyone to follow all the health directions:
Book your COVID-19 vaccine [https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/booking-your-covid-19-vaccine]Check in using The Territory Check In App every time, everywhereIf you have symptoms, stay away from others and get tested for COVID-19Wash your hands with soap and water and use hand sanitiser regularlyDo not go to work if you feel sickMaintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres where possible. Unsubscribe https://ntgovernmentagencies.createsend1.com/t/t-u-cukihhk-l-i/