NT chief minister apologises over ‘unacceptable’ COVID-19 reporting failure

Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner has confirmed a week-long reporting failure in notifying close and casual contacts of COVID-19.

Mr Gunner said those who had checked into venues using the Northern Territory’s check-in app over the last week had not been notified if they had visited exposure sites.

“We were advised that over the past week, these messages were not sent. There is no excuse for this,” Mr Gunner said. 

LIVE UPDATES: Death toll rises in NSW and Victoria as cases surge

© Nine
NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner apologised for the reporting blunder.

A Northern Territory government staffer has been dismissed over the incident.

“The person responsible for tasking this has been stood down from the emergency operations centre and will return to regular duties,” Mr Gunner said.

“We asked for an update on how it was all going and that’s how we discovered it hadn’t been actioned.

“Unfortunately there has been that gap.”

READ MORE: Queen strips Prince Andrew of military titles and royal roles

From 3pm today, those who have entered COVID-19 exposure sites over the last week will be notified.

“I am sorry this did not happen, nothing excuses it,” Mr Gunner said.

“It will happen now.”

Mr Gunner confirmed 546 new cases of COVID-19 had been recorded in the Territory, bringing total case numbers to 3300. 

Twenty-seven people have been hospitalised and one person is in intensive care.

READ MORE: Snake catcher’s warning for pet owners after grim find