NewsBite

NT removes hotspot status for Brisbane, authorities have growing concerns around Sydney outbreak

The Territory has removed its hotspot declarations for Brisbane and the Moreton Bay region this afternoon, as health officials watch the growing outbreak in New South Wales.

NSW Covid case numbers ‘aren't going in the right direction’ to end lockdown

UPDATE: The Territory removed its hotspot declarations for City of Brisbane and the Moreton Bay region at 5pm Sunday, but Health Minister Natasha Fyles said exposure site declarations would remain.

“For Territorians that have been caught in that situation either in Brisbane, or in Howard Springs or the Todd facility, we will be removing the hotspot declaration from 5pm today but there still will be exposure site declarations,” she said.

“People do need to, if they’ve been in that area, look specifically at the Queensland Health webpage for those sites.

“This is based on the fact that they have had no cases for some days, but also the wastewater testing, the negative wastewater testing.”

Ms Fyles also stated authorities were concerned about the growing outbreak in Sydney, and issued a warning for Territorians in regional New South Wales to return to the NT.

“If you’re in regional New South Wales now’s the time to come back to the Territory,” she said.

“We are watching regional New South Wales very closely and won’t hesitate to expand that hotspot declaration that presently is in place for Greater Metropolitan Sydney and a number of local government areas.”

EARLIER: Health Minister Natasha Fyles is expected to update the public on Sunday afternoon around Covid-19.

It comes amid a deteriorating situation in Greater Sydney, which on Sunday reported its first death from Covid-19 since the start of 2021.

The woman, aged in her 90s, was not vaccinated and died on Saturday.

MORE TOP NEWS

‘Catastrophic’ risk of bushfires from August cracker night: CDU bushfire expert Andrew Edwards

There were 77 new cases of Covid-19 in the Harbour City in the 24 hours to 8pm Saturday.

New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Sunday there was a high chance of more than 100 new cases being reported on Monday, and that the city’s lockdown would be extended.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles. Picture: Glenn Campbell
Health Minister Natasha Fyles. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Interstate health authorities are now mulling extending hot spots beyond Greater Sydney to lock out all of NSW.

Victorian premier Dan Andrews has urged any Victorian resident in regional New South Wales to return immediately.

The southeast Queensland council areas of Moreton Bay and Brisbane City remain hot spots.

thomas.morgan1@news.com.au

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/northern-territory/nt-health-minister-to-provide-update-amid-worsening-nsw-outbreak/news-story/3838555ede88989cc2887edb63f61adb