A domestic traveller has tested positive for COVID-19 in Darwin after travelling to the Northern Territory from New South Wales, via Queensland, however, the Territory's Health Minister, Natasha Fyles, says the case poses a "very minimal risk to the Northern Territory community".
In a statement released late this morning, the Territory government said the 53-year-old man had tested positive at the Howard Springs quarantine facility on Sunday night, after travelling to Darwin International Airport from Newcastle via Brisbane on Friday, September 17.
It said the man, who is a returning Territory resident, had gone directly from the airport to Howard Springs, and was under the care of NT Health staff.
He travelled with a mask on and was asymptomatic.
The government has said there will be no lockdown in the Territory as a result of the detection.
At a press conference this morning, Ms Fyles said the case was low risk for the Territory because the man had not been out in the community.
"I understand, because we haven't had COVID in the community, people hear this and they start to get anxious and panic," she said.
Ms Fyles also said she believed the man had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The Northern Territory government statement said the man had arrived on the Brisbane-to-Darwin Jetstar flight, JQ674, on Friday.
Contact tracing of passengers is now underway.
Already, 24 people — including 20 people who were seated around the man on his flight and four staff at the airport— have been identified as close contacts and are undertaking quarantine.
The remaining 111 passengers have been deemed casual contacts, and have been ordered to self-isolate and get tested tomorrow.
Acting Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Anthony Carpenter said the incident was an example of the Territory's strict border-entry requirements protecting Territorians.
He said the case was a reminder of how important it was for Territorians to protect themselves against COVID-19 by getting vaccinated.
The Northern Territory government confirmed the new case after the news was announced by Queensland's Health Minister, Yvette D'Ath, at a press conference earlier this morning.
