Countdown to coronavirus ‘eradication’ in the NT to begin within days, as just five cases remain

THE 28-day countdown clock to ‘eradicating’ coronavirus in the NT will begin ticking within days, with just five active cases remaining. But the community is being warned not to let its guard down.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said easing restrictions was proving to be more stressful than imposing tough lockdown measures. Picture: Glenn Campbell

THE 28-day countdown clock to “eradicating” coronavirus in the NT will begin ticking within days, with just five active cases remaining.

But medical experts, including the Territory’s top doctor, have warned that the community must not let its guard down against the “tenacious bug”.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner, who has started winding back coronavirus restrictions, said on Monday that the Territory had “dodged a bullet” on the health front.

The NT has logged just 28 cases of coronavirus – the lowest in the country – and it’s been three consecutive weeks since someone tested positive for COVID-19.

There has been no community transmission.

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“We’ve done extremely well, but we’re not immune. We are safe but there is no vaccine,” Mr Gunner said.

“We’ve also got to manage this (easing of restrictions) in such a way that I think everyone now is aware of the dangers of coronavirus.”

Australian Medical Association NT president Robert Parker said the community needed to be “incredibly careful” about thinking the virus was under control or eradicated, warning this is technically not possible until a vaccine is discovered.

And the chances of that occurring this year, despite more than 80 COVID-19 vaccine trials being undertaken worldwide, are “pretty slim” due to the complex nature of creating one and ensuring it is safe and effective.

Mr Gunner said easing restrictions was proving to be more stressful than imposing tough lockdown measures, as no jurisdiction in the world has successfully wound them back without seeing a spike in cases.

“We can only do this once and I want to get it right the first time,” he said.

The NT Government is implementing a rapid response plan, simplified as “test, trace, and trap”, in a bid to lift restrictions.

This includes ramping up testing to include anyone with respiratory symptoms and promoting the Federal Government’s coronavirus tracing app – COVIDsafe.

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Two federally funded respiratory clinics have also been set up in the greater Darwin area; one at the Danila Dilba Health Service in the CBD and another at the Palmerston GP Super Clinic in Farrar.

Originally published as Countdown to coronavirus ‘eradication’ in the NT to begin within days, as just five cases remain