The Northern Territory has recorded no new cases of COVID-19 overnight as health authorities rush to track transmission in the latest outbreak of the virus.
The positive news comes after eight cases were announced yesterday, taking the current Katherine-Robinson River cluster to a total of 19 infections.
NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner said things were "looking more positive" but that the territory was certainly "not out of the woods" yet.
READ MORE: 'Materials degrade': Expert's warning on William Tyrrell search
"This is good news but it's not a date to get ahead of ourselves," he said.
"We won't presume this means we have trapped the virus.
"There's close contacts yet to be tested or have their results returned, there's close contacts yet to be found and there will be more close contacts identified.
"There's also a strong chance of close contacts who have tested negative returning a positive test in coming days. The next few days remain crucial."
A total of 384 close contacts have been identified from the outbreak, however only 288 have been successfully contacted.
Mr Gunner said health authorities expect to get the results of the genomic sequencing for the current cluster today.
"This will be extremely important as it will confirm if clusters one and two are linked. Our belief remains that they are most likely linked," he said.
The contract tracing comes as Katherine and Robinson River are enduring a lockdown until 6pm on Monday.
The current outbreak, which authorities are referring to as cluster two for the territory, was discovered on Monday.
It follows four cases being found in Greater Darwin and Katherine in the first week of November, which are being referred to as cluster one.
Katherine's concerning vaccination rates
Mr Gunner said the vaccination rate of 71 per cent in Katherine was concerning.
"We need to see a lift in the vaccination rates in Katherine," he said.
"I understand the issue may be a mobility one and we're tasking the local team to provide options today. I have asked for on the ground advice. I have seen a photo of a queue to our clinic. It may be that people were prioritising testing and this will shift to vaccinations today."
He has urged Katherine residents to encourage others to get vaccinated.
Meanwhile, he said all 173 residents of the remote Indigenous community of Robinson River had been tested for the virus, and most have been vaccinated.
"Only 15 people remain to receive a first dose in Robinson River. I understand they all want to be vaccinated today," Mr Gunner said.
Support for NT businesses
The Federal Government has announced it will make COVID-19 Disaster Payments available for businesses and workers who have lost work due to the new restrictions in the Northern Territory.
People who have lost eight hours are eligible for a payment of $450, while those 20 or more hours of work are eligible for a $750 payment.
Businesses who have had to cease trading or suffered a revenue loss of 50 per cent are eligible for an immediate payment of $1000. Eligible small businesses are those who are actively trading with a turnover of $75,000 to $10 million, and have fewer than 24 full-time equivalent staff.
Applications close on November 26.
