The man with who visited Katherine was more infectious while in the town than during his time in Darwin, Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner revealed on August 17.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The man has had a second test, which proved that he was more infectious than at the time the first test was taken, and at this time, the source of his infection is not yet known.
Mr Gunner said this meant the case was caught early and there have been no new cases reported in the Territory overnight, but there was still a long way to go.
He said the Covid case was most infectious in the community while in Katherine, where there are contact sites at the Knotts Crossing Resort, Woolworths and Oasis shopping centre.
"We are playing the waiting game. We've done everything we can to trap the virus," Mr Gunner said.
COVID-19: READ MORE
Mr Gunner said that there were 13 close contacts at the Knotts Crossing Resort - 11 local and two interstate. Those in the Territory would be moved to Howard Springs for quarantine.
He said there was one close contact at the Woolworths, but between 200-250 casual contacts.
Of these casual contacts at Woolworths, between 20 and 30 were initially unidentifiable due to the individuals having not used the QR code check-in.
"Two hundred and seven casual contacts checked in using the QR app but there were 20 to 30 plus who did not check in," Mr Gunner said.
"The contact tracing team has had to cross reference faces on CCTV footage. It is complex and time consuming.
"There is absolutely no excuse for not checking in."
NT Chief Health Officer Dr Hugh Heggie urged residents to use the check-in methods to avoid further spread of the virus which would result in extended lockdowns.
"The use of the QR code is absolutely essential. Without doing that, you could be walking around for quite an amount of time while infectious," Dr Heggie said.
Locals have been reminded not to flood the supermarkets after there were reports of panic-buying in all affected lockdown areas, including Katherine.
"When we talk to you about not having to surge at supermarkets, we're not wasting our breath," NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker said.
"Please, for any future lockdown developments, know that those supermarkets remain open.
"The whole family does not need to go. Please identify a single individual who will go to the store to get your supplies."
Further testing, including of waste water, will continue in Katherine.
Mr Gunner said he was hoping the results of waste water tests could be turned around faster than normal, which would be Thursday.
The hope is that the waste water samples can be sent to Adelaide and the results returned prior to midday on Thursday when the lockdown is due to end.
More to come.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark katherinetimes.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @KatherineTimes
- Follow us on Instagram @katherinetimes
- Follow us on Google News
- Contact us at editor.kathtimes@austcommunitymedia.com.au
- You can also receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday at 6am from the Katherine Times. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.
DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY?: Send letters to the editor or story tips to editor.kathtimes@austcommunitymedia.com.au