If your symptoms are serious, such as difficulty breathing, call 000 for urgent medical help.

You can check your symptoms on the Australian Government's healthdirect website.

Who needs testing

In line with national advice, coronavirus (COVID-19) testing in the Territory has been expanded to anyone with respiratory symptoms. This is necessary to monitor the risk of community transmission.

If you are not displaying symptoms then you don't need to be tested.

Instead, focus on the following good hygiene practices to help prevent the virus spreading:

• cough or sneeze into your arm
• use a tissue
• bin the tissue
• wash your hands.

Testing facilities

Depending on where you are, you may be directed to a special testing facility.

Contact your GP via phone for advice on whether you require testing.

If you can't contact your GP, call 1800 008 002 to talk to a clinician. 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.

Darwin region

The coronavirus (COVID-19) health facility in Howard Springs is a drive-through testing clinic.

It is one of a number of pandemic clinics open in the Darwin area, including clinics at Royal Darwin Hospital and the Palmerston GP Super Clinic.

Access to the Howard Springs facility is by appointment only through the NT Centre for Disease Control (CDC).

Nhulunbuy

Do not go directly to the clinic. You must have an appointment to be screened.

Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 3:30pm - call 0476 828 005 to book an appointment and to receive further instructions for testing.

Katherine

Katherine Pandemic Clinic is a drive-in facility at Katherine Hospital.

Attendance is by appointment only.

If you are feeling unwell, you should call 1800 008 002 to discuss and receive advice about the need for an appointment.

If you are very unwell, call 000.

Tennant Creek

Tennant Creek Hospital - present to the reception area.

Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation.

Alice Springs and Central Australia

Central Clinic and Mall Medical can carry out testing.

You must phone to make an appointment. If you are very unwell you should go to the Alice Springs Hospital Emergency Department.

Central Australia Aboriginal Congress. You must phone ahead to make testing arrangements.

After testing

It may take a few days for the test results to come back.

If you have serious symptoms, you will be kept in hospital and isolated from other patients to prevent the virus spreading.

If your doctor says you are well enough to go home while you wait for your test results, you should do all of the following:

• self-quarantine at home and do not attend work or school
• wash your hands often with soap and water
• cough and sneeze into your elbow
• avoid cooking for or caring for other members of your household
• wear the mask your doctor gives you if you can't avoid close contact with other people.

If your test is positive

If your test is positive, you will be able to access isolation accommodation at the Howard Springs facility.

The facility has an isolation (red zone) for people with coronavirus (COVID-19) who don't need to go to the hospital.

Appropriate supervision and support will be provided.