36th virus death as Oils gig cancelled

ANOTHER man has died from Covid-19 in the Northern Territory, the 36th death since the pandemic started.

Authorities reported a man in his 80s from a remote Central Australian community died with the virus.

He had underlying health conditions and died at the Alice Springs Hospital.

There were 421 new cases of Covid-19 reported on Saturday.

All up 354 cases were recorded in the Top End region, 20 in Central Australia, four in East Arnhem, four in the Big Rivers region, three in the Barkly and 36 are under investigation.

There are 14 patients in hospital, with one patient requiring oxygen. There is one patient in intensive care.

Among the Covid-19 cases across the Territory is Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis.

Mr Vatskalis received his positive result to a PCR test on Friday and will remain in isolation with his wife until Friday. He intends to work from home. “On a positive note I am 3pled (sic) vaxxed and the symptoms are just like a head cold,” he posted to Facebook.

Midnight Oil was forced to cancel its Saturday night show after frontman Peter Garrett tested positive for Covid-19.

“Midnight Oil are profoundly disappointed to announce that tonight’s show in Darwin and Wednesday’s show in Cairns have to be cancelled,” a statement said.

“Despite returning negative RATs, frontman Peter Garrett returned a positive PCR test late last night after experiencing flu-like symptoms so he now needs to remain in isolation for seven days.

“The band deeply regrets that these shows will be unable to proceed and sincerely apologise to all their NT and NQ fans who will be inconvenienced.”

Ticketholders will be given full refunds.