Around 8000 Territorians have been re-sent automated text messages with the results of old COVID tests as the NT reports a spike in cases.
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Speaking to the media in Darwin On Thursday morning, Health Minister Natasha Fyles apologised for the glitch which she said was caused by an IT system upgrade last night.
"We had a system upgrade to our IT system overnight and it appears to have put a glitch in our system that 1000s, around 8000 text messages, automated messages have gone out to people that have previously had COVID tests," she said.
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"We apologise to Territorians; we believe we've rectified the issue and no more messages should go out.
"Please look at that date. Mine, for example, was negative, so that's fine. But if you did get a text message saying you're positive and you haven't had a recent test, please look at that."
Meanwhile, 655 people have tested positive to the virus in the most recent reporting period, 74 per cent of which were in the Darwin and Palmerston area. Another COVID death was also reported, although Ms Fyles said she did not know the person's age or gender.
There are currently 49 people in hospital with COVID-19, eight people on oxygen and one in intensive care.
"Whether it's related to the fact that we're a couple of days after Easter in the school holidays and we're seeing a bit of a bump in numbers or whether this is our numbers rising for a little period of time is yet to be seen. The seven day rolling average is 470 cases," Ms Fyles said.
Ms Fyles said a number of cases had also been recorded in the West Arnhem community of Minjilang and that a rapid response team had been sent out to assist.
"We're not overly concerned, we've just come out of a meeting of CMC with the Chief Health Officer and Deputy Chief Health Officer and Territory Controller but we're certainly watching this very closely," she said.
Ms Fyles said NT health officials took part in the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee on Wednesday, but the NT was yet to announce any changes to COVID protocols.
"Our health officials participated in ahppc yesterday, and we've seen a number of jurisdictions change their measures. I'm not announcing any changes today. We're looking at that advice for the Territory's context."
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