COVID-19 recorded in NT remote Aboriginal community triggering lockdown

"But we are ready for this."

Image for read more article 'Darwin's lockout of unvaccinated people extended as authorities race to contain coronavirus outbreak'

One of the two new positive cases, an unvaccinated 30-year-old Aboriginal woman, lives in Robinson River about 800km from Katherine.

She is a close contact of another positive COVID-19 case, a fully vaccinated 43-year-old Aboriginal man from Katherine East.

Health officials believe the 43-year-old man has been infectious since 10 November.

"Contact tracers are working around the clock to trace these latest two cases," Mr Gunner said, adding the list of exposure sites would soon be updated.

Mr Gunner said a testing and vaccination blitz will be conducted by a "rapid assessment team" to further boost vaccination rates in the Robinson River community.

"We outlined our surge response plans for this exact scenario ... we've already swung into action to save lives."

Roughly 350 people live in the Robinson River community, with 77 per cent of those living there fully vaccinated, while 87 per cent have received their first dose.

Image for read more article 'COVID-19 restrictions in Darwin and Katherine extended for 24 hours'

People living in lockdown-affected areas will only be able to leave their homes for the five permitted reasons and have been urged to send one person to the supermarket at a time.

Mr Gunner said officials were yet to find a clear link between Monday's cases and previous cases linked to the recent Darwin/Katherine cluster.

"We have always been concerned for our remote communities, because of their mobility and vulnerability, especially since Delta has emerged," he said.

"This is not a white fella disease, COVID doesn't discriminate. Get the jab."

Image for read more article 'Australia reaches vaccination milestone, but these communities are still at risk'

Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Charles Pain said there are grave concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on Indigenous communities.

"We are now in a fight to get on top of this," he said.

"Aboriginal people - as we expected because of the prevalence of underlying conditions - are more prone [to more severe COVID-19 impacts].

"We are concerned about the impact on our Aboriginal communities. All the more reason for people to come forward for testing."

The tough restrictions come after Darwin and Katherine entered into short lockdowns earlier this month.

Additional reporting: AAP

COVID-19 recorded in NT remote Aboriginal community triggering lockdown

0 Response to "COVID-19 recorded in NT remote Aboriginal community triggering lockdown"

Post a Comment