The Top End's peak Aboriginal health body has warned that the region is dangerously under-prepared for the wave of COVID-19 infections currently sweeping the continent.
The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) says low vaccination rates, little public messaging and a lapse in communication between hospitals and health organisations leave the population vulnerable to the latest outbreak.
AMSANT chief executive Dr John Paterson says a new communication drive spruiking vaccinations for the latest variants is critical.
"There isn't as much of that public messaging ... that had previously been done in the recent pandemic that we experienced," he told NITV.
Our vaccination numbers are well down ... There are new vaccines that are out now that will [reduce] hospitalisation and severe infections for those most at risk.
"We need to ensure that [messaging] is consistent, and it's done with appropriate language.
"English might be a third or fourth part of their language, so we need to ensure that that messaging is done in language."
Infections, hospitalisations increasing dramatically
Northern Territory Health confirmed the region is currently experiencing an outbreak, as is much of the country.
In the four weeks to November 23, 496 cases were recorded via PCR tests, a 250 per cent increase over the preceding four weeks (194).
That increase was also reflected in the number of hospitalisations, rising from 16 to 94 over the same period.
However, as the registration of positive Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) is no longer mandatory, it's believed the true number is likely higher than those official figures.
As the number of infections and hospitalisations increases, concerns for remote communities are particularly high.
"Most of our remote communities are probably the populations that suffer from the most chronic illnesses," said Dr Paterson.
"The lack of workforce is also a huge challenge with us at the moment ... and at this time of the year, travelling out to remote communities, particularly with the wet season upon us, makes it doubly challenging to get out there on a regular basis."
Dr Paterson and NT Health both encouraged the practice of COVID-safe behaviour, reminding people not to travel when feeling unwell.
COVID-era communications have 'lapsed'
As the numbers grow, and expectations of a 'COVID summer' firm, Dr Paterson says the absence of communication that existed during previous waves is jeopardising the work of preventing spread.
AMSANT previously worked with government, the Centre for Disease Control and other organisations to get a clearer picture of the disease's movements.
"We're just not getting regular updates anymore," he told NITV.
"We need the data. Where [are] outbreaks on the increase and in what communities? We used to have that information at our fingertips, but it's lapsed."
NT Health said data collected from PCR testing, including from remote communities, is being shared with health services including ACCHOs, as well as other information sharing.
"There are a number of regular forums hosted by NT Health attended by the ACCHO sector which facilitate coordinated responses for COVID-19, including monthly Public Health Advisory Networks and COVID-19 and other communicable diseases virtual meetings.
"In addition, the NT Health Centre for Disease Control sends notifiable disease surveillance updates, including for COVID-19, to all clinical sectors in the NT."
