The Northern Territory has reported another 1045 COVID-19 infections as health authorities call a code yellow for the Royal Darwin and Palmerston hospitals amid a peak in virus and other admissions.
There are currently 137 people with coronavirus in Territory hospitals including one in intensive care.
While Thursday's hospitalisation rate is down from 143 on Wednesday, health authorities say current infection prevention and control measures to manage and isolate COVID-19 positive patients at Royal Darwin has also exacerbated capacity issues.
"A code yellow enacts a number of practices and will allow the hospital to closely manage the situation and implement measures to ease pressures on the hospital system," NT Health said in a statement on Thursday.
"Patient safety is a priority and the dedicated staff at Royal Darwin Hospital work hard to ensure Territorians continue to receive the best patient-centred care possible."
People with non-emergency health needs have been urged to see their GPs to try to avoid becoming acutely unwell and in need of hospital treatment.
The NT currently has 6977 active coronavirus infections.
