Darwin man, in his 70s, tests positive to coronavirus bringing NT’s confirmed cases to six

A SIXTH person, a man in his 70s, has been diagnosed with coronavirus in the NT after flying into Darwin from Sydney

Government Business leader Natasha Fyles says emergency legislation would be introduced and debated today. Picture: Che Chorley

UPDATED: A Darwin man in his seventies has been diagnosed with coronavirus, the sixth confirmed case in the NT.

The man returned to Darwin from Sydney on Flight QF840 on Friday, March 20, arriving at 1pm.

Leader of Government Business Natasha Fyles discusses emergency legislation to be introduced in Parliament today

Posted by The NT News on Monday, 23 March 2020

The NT Health Department said Top End Public Health Unit would be in touch with the man’s close contacts over the next 24 hours, and in line with national clinical advice, other passengers on the flight should monitor their health until Friday, April 3, and arrange testing if they develop any symptoms.

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In a statement, the department said the man and his partner both followed all public health protocols and went straight into isolation, and there was little risk to the NT community.

The man has been admitted to Royal Darwin Hospital. All confirmed COVID-19 cases in the NT remain at Royal Darwin Hospital.

Contract tracing has commenced.

Ms Fyles also announced on Tuesday morning that new measures would be introduced in legislation to give the Chief Health Officer more powers.