While the man who sparked the Katherine and Greater Darwin snap lockdown this week has been identified as a Defence contractor, the Defence Department can confirm none of their sites have been exposed to COVID-19 as a result.
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The man in his 30s, who arrived from the United States in Sydney and undertook two weeks in hotel quarantine, travelled to Darwin last Thursday via the Canberra airport before travelling to Katherine on August 15.
"Defence is aware an employee of a contractor engaged by Defence has tested positive for COVID-19 in the Northern Territory," a Defence spokesperson said.
"No Defence establishments have been identified as sites of exposure or concern.
"Due to privacy reasons Defence will not be providing any further information on the individual involved."
NT Chief Health Officer Dr Hugh Heggie said initial serology results from the index case indicate the man had contracted the COVID-19 Delta variant. The source of infection is yet to be identified.
"The genomic result has to be released from New South Wales because they have the original Delta gene," Dr Heggie said.
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The Defence department is continuing to assist authorities with 132 Australian Defence Force personnel supporting Top End police enforcement with quarantine compliance management.
Defence continues to work closely with all state and territory authorities who are managing the public health response, the spokesperson said.
The Tindal RAAF base is 15 kilometres from Katherine.
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