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ABC News
ABC News
Health

East Arnhem community of Yirrkala exits lockdown as Northern Territory records 459 new COVID-19 cases

The East Arnhem community of Yirrkala was sent into lockdown, along with Elcho Island, on Monday.  (ABC News: Michael Franchi)

There are now 54 people with COVID-19 in hospital in the Northern Territory, up from 48 on Wednesday, with five patients requiring oxygen. 

Authorities advise there is one COVID-19 patient in intensive care.

There were 459 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the Northern Territory in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, according to a statement from the Northern Territory government.

Of those cases, 364 were detected from rapid antigen tests.

There were 1,114 PCR tests processed during the last reporting period and there are now about 3,970 known active cases in the Northern Territory.

Four new cases were recorded in the Arnhem Land community of Yirrkala, but the lockdown in the community has lifted on schedule, at 2pm today, the government said.

"Significant testing has been undertaken in Yirrkala, with more than 145 tests completed in the past two days," it said.

"The spread of COVID-19 in Yirrkala has been reduced, with a total of nine cases, including five people in Yirrkala and four in Nhulunbuy. Anyone with symptoms is advised to get tested immediately."

There were 15 new cases recorded in the community of Galiwink'u on Elcho Island, which remains in a lockdown scheduled to lift on Monday, January 24.

On Groote Eylandt, 10 new cases, all traced back to interstate travel, were recorded in the community of Umbakumba.

In Darwin, six cases were detected in high-risk settings — including hostels, sober-up shelters and rough sleepers — the government said, and two more cases were recorded at Darwin's prison.

In Central Australia, there were 14 new cases in Yuendumu, which remains in a lockout — along with Yuelamu — that is scheduled to end on Sunday.

There were eight more cases detected at the Alice Springs prison.

One new case was detected at the Old Timers aged care facility, three in Santa Teresa and 10 in Ntaria ( Hermannsburg) and its surrounding homelands.

Two cases were detected at the Barkly Work Camp outside of Tennant Creek.

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