The Northern Territory has recorded two new cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the total number of cases detected in the NT to three.

Key points: A Territorian in his mid-30s who recently returned to Darwin from Europe has tested positive to COVID-19

A Territorian in his mid-30s who recently returned to Darwin from Europe has tested positive to COVID-19 The man, who had been in self-isolation, is the second confirmed case of COVID-19 in the NT

The man, who had been in self-isolation, is the second confirmed case of COVID-19 in the NT Close contacts of the man, including plane passengers, will be contacted by health authorities



Earlier today, health authorities revealed a man in his mid-30s had tested positive after flying into Darwin yesterday from Zagreb, via Istanbul and Denpasar.

He flew from Denpasar to Darwin on JQ82, arriving at 5:00am on March 19.

The second case was a 21-year-old woman who arrived in Darwin on March 19 after flying from Utah, via San Francisco and Brisbane.

She flew from Brisbane to Darwin on QF824, arriving at midday.

Both people went into self-isolation on arrival in Darwin, as is now required under Australian regulations.

People on those flights are being contacted as part of contact tracing procedures.

"We want to remind Territorians to stay calm," Health Minister Natasha Fyles said at a press conference following the first confirmed case today.

"This person had recently returned from overseas, and therefore, was in isolation, as all Territorians and Australians need to be if they have been overseas."

NT COVID-19 snapshot Cases detected in the NT: 30

Cases detected in the NT: 30 Tests conducted: 5,527

Tests conducted: 5,527 People recovered: 28 Get the latest information from the SecureNT website.

Close contacts to be followed up

Health Minister Natasha Fyles has reminded Territorians to stay calm. ( ABC News )

NT Centre for Disease Control director Vicki Krause said the man in his 30s had been in Darwin for about 24 hours and had very limited contact with the outside community.

"At this time, he has been basically off his plane, in quarantine, drove himself to the [pandemic] clinic, went home, was in quarantine," she said.

Dr Krause said close contacts who were on the plane with the man would already be in self-quarantine as per Australian requirements for all international arrivals.

However, she said health officials would be in daily contact with them.

Dr Krause praised the man for following all requirements, including calling ahead to his GP before trying to attend a clinic.

She said the man was "moderately unwell".

"He's a young man, not in the age dynamic that we expect to be that affected," she said.

The Territory detected its first case of COVID-19 two weeks ago when a tourist from Sydney arrived in Darwin.

That case is now counted in the national COVID-19 statistics as a NSW case, despite the man still being treated at Royal Darwin Hospital.

The NT's Deputy Chief Health Officer Dianne Stephens said Katherine Hospital would open its pandemic assessment clinic to check its procedures, despite not much demand at this stage.

Other pandemic clinics in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy will open when required, she said.

The NT's drive-thru testing clinic at Howard Springs is expected to open by Monday, although it could open earlier if necessary.

How do I get tested in the NT? If you can't contact or get to your GP, but you have the symptoms, you should call 1800 008 002

If you can't contact or get to your GP, but you have the symptoms, you should call 1800 008 002 This is a dedicated NT-wide coronavirus (COVID-19) number for people who need to arrange testing only

This is a dedicated NT-wide coronavirus (COVID-19) number for people who need to arrange testing only If you live in Darwin and need to arrange testing, call the Public Health Unit on 8922 8044

If you live in Darwin and need to arrange testing, call the Public Health Unit on 8922 8044 Patients who are tested should remain isolated at home until they receive their test results

Patients who are tested should remain isolated at home until they receive their test results For general advice, Territorians can call 1800 020 080 Latest information from SecureNT website