Malarndirri McCarthy speaks of family hospitalised with Covid-19

NT Senator Malarndirri McCarthy says her family members are hoping for speedy recoveries as they fight Covid-19.

UPDATE: SENATOR Malarndirri McCarthy says her family members are hoping for speedy recoveries as they fight Covid-19.

Ms McCarthy said she had spoken to her sister again on Wednesday morning.

“I’ve spoken to my sister this morning, which was lovely to hear her voice, there’s still a way to go, and fingers crossed all family members still come through okay,” she said.

“We’re very concerned about our aunty in Royal Darwin Hospital, we also know that she is in safe hands too, it’s a wait and see now.”

Ms McCarthy sent another message to all Territorians.

“This is a critical time – it will reduce the impact of Covid-19 on yourself, family and community, please get vaccinated,” she said.

UPDATE: SENATOR Malarndirri McCarthy has publicly announced from the Katherine and Robinson River outbreak, nine out of the eleven positive Covid-19 cases are her direct family members.

According to Ms McCarthy, her sister, the 30-year-old unvaccinated woman in Robinson River “is the source of the Covid-19 infection in Robinson River”.

Ms McCarthy said the situation which was evolving quickly was “very concerning”.

“I am worried about all members of the Robinson River community who are awaiting testing and results,” Ms McCarthy said.

She sent a solemn warning to people spreading misinformation to communities regarding the Covid-19 vaccine.

Senator Malarndirri McCarthy speaking at a press conference in Darwin. Picture: Floss Adams.

“The negative messages sent by people across Australia in terms of social media that discourages people, in particular first nations people, from vaccinating is completely disgraceful,” she said. “It doesn’t help, it never has helped and I encourage people to not listen to those messages as I have been since this pandemic began.”

Ms McCarthy said she was in regular contact with her family during this time.

“I am in contact with them constantly to see how they are coping,” she said.

Ms McCarthy raised the issue of overcrowded houses in Indigenous communities with some houses having “12 to 20” people living in a home at a time.

“The absolute urgency that must be placed on housing for remote homeland and outstations, with the federal government [to] come to the party on this, is a serious matter

“[It is] a case of life and death here, unless families have an ability to isolate in their own homes,

Ms McCarthy said the imminent threat of the new exposure site at Robinson River was another indication of incredible challenges for first nations people across Australia.

“My message to the Territory community is do not be afraid, do not feel shame – get tested and get vaccinated,” she said. “The vaccine reduces the severity of the disease and is the best way to keep ourselves and our communities safe.”

EARLIER: NT Senator and Yanyuwa woman Malarndirri McCarthy has revealed her sister is the 30-year-old Aboriginal woman who on Monday was announced as having contracted Covid.

At a press conference on Tuesday morning, Ms McCarthy shared the emotional revelation.

Ms McCarthy’s sister is a household contact of the 43-year-old man who tested positive for the virus.

She is unvaccinated and is believed to have been infectious since November 10.

“I’d like to say a personal message and that is that to my sister, who is the source of the Covid infection in Robinson River, our thoughts and prayers are with her and our family,” Ms McCarthy said.

“To my uncle and aunties and cousins who have been flown in from Katherine, who are in Howard Springs – stay strong. Proud of you that you’re double vaxxed, proud of you that you’re there.”

Ms McCarthy made a plea for First Nations people to get vaccinated and to ignore misinformation on social media.

“The messages by people across Australia negative messages in terms of social media that have discouraged people in particular First Nations people from vaccinating is completely disgraceful,” she said.

“It doesn’t help. It never has helped and I would certainly encourage people to not listen to those messages as I have been, since this pandemic began.

“I’d like to certainly say to families in Robinson River and Borroloola to get yourselves tested with the teams that are out there and to make sure that you look out for one another.”