Minister for Small Business Paul Kirby has become the first member of the Northern Territory cabinet to test positive to COVID-19.
A total of 1,122 new cases were announced in the Territory today, including 152 which are being added to Monday's total.
There are now 132 patients with COVID-19 in NT hospitals, with nine in need of oxygen and four in intensive care.
Of the 970 new cases attributed to Tuesday's caseload, 759 came from positive rapid antigen tests (RATs).
Mr Kirby said he was "feeling very well at present" and was grateful to have had his booster shot.
"I'd like to say how grateful I am to be fully vaccinated and boosted against this virus, which will hopefully ensure this illness remains mild," he said.
NT Health Minister Natasha Fyles said more than 60 per cent of the new cases were in the Top End, with around 15 per cent in Central Australia.
There are 606 cases in the Top End, 159 in Central Australia, 54 in the East Arnhem region, 41 in the Big Rivers region, and 13 in the Barkly. Ninety-seven cases are still under investigation.
"Active cases Territory-wide is 6,165 cases and the rolling seven-day average is about 875," Ms Fyles said.
There are 34 patients in hospital in Alice Springs, three in Katherine, one in Tennant Creek, four in Gove and 90 in Darwin.
"Our hospital numbers have again increased," Ms Fyles said.
"The vast majority of Territorians will have a mild illness and they'll be able to stay at home with appropriate measures and ensuring that their condition is monitored."
Government considering' Maningrida lock-in
An outdoor mask mandate is in place across the NT until 6pm on Saturday.
Ms Fyles said the NT government was "considering" a lock-in for the Western Arnhem community of Maningrida after "about a dozen cases" were reported in the area overnight.
"To the residents of Maningrida, please stay calm," she said.
"We're getting public health advice based off this increase in cases and we'll provide information shortly."
Lajamanu and surrounding homelands entered a seven-day lock-in on Monday.
Lock-ins in Ampilatwatja, Milikapiti, Galiwin'ku, Milingimbi and Palumpa are in place until 2pm on February 6.
During a lock-in, residents can move freely within the area, but are not able to leave unless it is for an authorised reason.
Ms Fyles urged people in the NT to get tested if they had any symptoms, and not to be complacent about public health measures such as hand hygiene.
"We now have more presence of COVID, or you know, just as much presence of COVID, here in the Territory as you do on the eastern seaboard or overseas, for example.
"If you've got any symptoms at all, please just isolate yourself and then you can undertake a test."
