Change to check-in app to let users know if places they have visited are exposure sites

An update to the Territory check-in app will mean users will now get text message telling them if places they have visited have been deemed exposure sites.

AN update to the Territory check-in app will tell users if places they have visited have been deemed exposure sites.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner announced on Friday that a newer version of the app would go live later that afternoon.

It comes after Territorians were spammed with text messages telling them they had visited a venue at the same time as a confirmed Covid-19 case.

The new NT Covid message, which also now lists the name of the specific potential exposure site, and the time when the user checked in there.

But the text messages did not list the venue, let alone the time and date of exposure, causing frustration.

“We know Territorians wanted more information than that,” Mr Gunner said.

“The Territory check-in app will now include information on any exposure sites you have been to ... instead of receiving a general text message.”

He also flagged the potential feature of app
alerts if users have notifications enabled.

“There may be some teething issues – there
always seem to be when we’re dealing with technology,” he said.

Mr Gunner said an app alert was “not a cause for you to panic” and recipients did not need to isolate.

“It’s just information for you so you can make an informed judgment,” he said.

The app is available on Apple and Android devices.

Booster shot mandated for Territory workers

A RECORD-BREAKING surge of Covid-19 has been described as a “second wave” by health officials, with over 1000 cases added to the Territory’s tally on Friday.

There were 940 cases of Covid-19 reported for Friday alone, and that figure is likely to be revised upwards.

There were also an additional 121 cases backdated to the Thursday figure, taking that day’s total to 747.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said there 105 cases of Covid-19 in hospital, an increase of 21 in two days. Mr Gunner said 2.5 per cent of active cases were ending up in hospital.

There were 14 people needing oxygen and three people in intensive care.

A day after his colleague Dr Charles Pain said he wouldn’t want to see hospitalisations increase “much further”, Mr Gunner played down the strain being experienced in the Territory’s hospitals.

“If we needed to use additional ICU beds, the cardiac facility at the (Royal Darwin Hospital) is available to provide that level of care,” he said.

“Now, we’ve got more beds available than we’re currently using.”

The Chief Minister last week told ABC Radio he was only expecting daily case numbers to rebound to around 450.

“We knew there would be an increase in cases with interstate arrivals, this is not our nor anyone’s expectations for now,” Mr Gunner said on Friday.

“The hope would be that moderate back down to 450.”

Mr Gunner said there was “no denying” that community transmission was widespread across the Territory.

In Galiwin’ku, there were another 30 cases added on Friday, taking that community’s outbreak to over 220 cases.

With 90 per cent of Covid hospitalisations being Indigenous Territorians, deputy chief health officer Dr Marco Briceno said responses in remote communities needed to be “proportionate”.

But Dr Briceno, who described the situation as a “second wave”, said vaccinations were a key measure to prevent serious illness from Covid-19.

“I’d like to take the opportunity to send a message to Territorians that have not been vaccinated, to please come and get vaccinated,” he said.

“You will protect your vulnerable family members and your community from getting Covid and getting sick.”

The large adjustment to Thursday’s figures was due to Territorians self-reporting positive Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) via the NT government website.

It is the second day in a row that the previous day’s results have been adjusted due to RATs. Cases topped 700 on Wednesday after a shock revision by Health Minister Natasha Fyles on Thursday.

Booster shot mandated for Territory workers

THE Territory’s mandatory vaccination policy for workers will now be extended to include the booster shot.

The announcement comes as the NT recorded 940 new infections of Covid-19 on Friday, a new daily record.

The case numbers for Thursday had also been updated jumping from 626 cases to 747.

The number of hospitalisations climbed over 100 for the first time with 105 people currently in hospital, with 14 people on oxygen and three people currently on ICU.

The new CHO direction has two deadlines for workers to receive their booster vaccination.

The first deadline for the booster shot is March 11 applying to workers in high risk settings including hospitals, aged care facilities and correctional and detention facilities.

A second deadline of April 22 applies to the remainder of Territory workers.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner stated the extra measure was to ensure people had the most up to date protection and immunity against the virus.

“We knew the Omicron wave would spread quickly and aggressively. We also knew that fully vaccinated Territorians would be the best protected – and they are,” Mr Gunner said.

“Two doses of the vaccine has given tens of thousands of Territorians excellent protection against severe illness – the booster shot makes sure that protection is stronger, and lasts longer.

“The immunity that two doses provides does not last forever and if you got your shot months ago your level of vulnerability has gone up.

“If you are eligible now, please don’t wait. Book in, boost up and give yourself and your loved ones the best shot at protection from serious illness.”

Deputy chief health officer Marco Briceno called the rise in cases a “second wave” following a period where 450 new cases were the daily average.

“We are aiming to get a better understanding of this new second wave in this time,” Dr Briceno said.

“We have to flatten the curve and keep health services operational and able to care for Territorians.

“A significant portion of the population is vaccinated, that is what has kept this outbreak under control and why we’re not seeing more Territorians very ill with Covid.”