Four dead as NT flu cases climb to 729, hospitals in peak demand

Hundreds of cases of the flu have already been recorded in the NT and four lives have been lost. As hospitals deal with the peak in demand, we reveal who can get a free jab against the disease.

Four deaths and more than 700 cases of the flu have been recorded in the NT in 2023.

The latest data can be revealed as Darwin and Palmerston hospitals were forced into a Code Yellow for a week due to high demand.

NT Health confirmed there had been 729 cases reported in the 11 weeks since the start of the year.

Of those 112 people required treatment in hospital as a direct or indirect result of infection.

In 2022 there were a total of 4965 cases recorded.

A spokesman said the cases were “mainly concentrated around Greater Darwin, East Arnhem and Top End”.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the flu vaccine would be available from next month and a portion of the population would be eligible for a free jab.

“The flu vaccine will arrive in the Territory in April,” she said.

“Over 100,000 Territorians are eligible for a free flu vaccine, including pregnant people, our seniors aged over 65, and our children aged 6 months to 4 years.”

She encouraged all Territorians older than six months to vaccinate themselves against the virus this flu season.

“By getting the flu vaccine, Territorians can protect themselves from getting sick and giving the flu to others, helping to keep the community safe.”

The latest available data from the Productivity Commission shows the NT had the highest rate of hospitalisations due to vaccine preventable conditions in Australia for 2019-20.

A Code Yellow was called on March 21, the second for RDPH in five months, and lifted on March 28.

NT Health said elective surgeries were not deferred in the latest announcement.

“The Code Yellow has been called for Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospital to manage a peak in demand following an increase in patient admissions requiring acute care,” the spokesman said at the time.

Originally published as Four dead as NT flu cases climb to 729, hospitals in peak demand