The Northern Territory has recorded zero new local cases of COVID-19 overnight, Health Minister Natasha Fyles says.
The Territory's cluster stands at 52 cases.
Storms between Katherine and Darwin last night have delayed the processing of about 300 tests.
Ms Fyles said the test results were now in Darwin being processed in the laboratory, with the results expected back this afternoon.
"We're processing them as quickly as we can," she said.
There is no change to the lockdown but Ms Fyles said authorities would meet over weekend.
"We will be meeting around the clock and as soon as we can safely make that decision as the Chief Minister mentioned yesterday, we will do so," she said.
"Bear with us. We certainly know the trying circumstances … that we're in.
"These rules are in place to protect you and your community. And it may be frustrating being told that you've been tested and you need to stay in isolation."
Ms Fyles said the Bicentennial Road catchment in Katherine East was continuing to return COVID-positive wastewater results, but the results were becoming weaker.
"Over the next 24 hours, wastewater will be critical around that so that we can assume that it is people that have already tested positive and therefore are being cared for — not cases undetected in the community," she said.
There are 490 close contacts linked to the cluster, of which 470 are in isolation and 455 have returned negative COVID test results.
The face mask mandate for the Big Rivers region has been scrapped immediately.
Further testing will be conducted in Binjari over the weekend.
Signs of hope on horizon
Acting Chief Health Officer Charles Pain said authorities expected more COVID-19 cases from Binjari and the close contacts in the Howard Springs quarantine facility.
"It's looking very good again today," he said.
"No cases, [though] we do need to wait for the results of these tests that were done yesterday, and unfortunately weather did disrupt that."
Dr Pain said it was becoming "increasingly likely" authorities had tracked down the main cases in Katherine, particularly in Katherine East, but it was too early to lift the lockdown just yet.
That was mainly due to the COVID-positive wastewater results, and the 300 COVID tests still awaiting processing.
Dr Pain said there was one COVID patient left at Royal Darwin Hospital who was not requiring oxygen, which was "indicative of the excellent care we've been able to provide".
Fact check first: Fyles
Ms Fyles addressed concerns about the spread of misinformation about the Australian Defence Force's role in the outbreak response, which has largely come from anti-vaccination campaigners.
Human rights group Amnesty International was also forced into a partial correction after issuing a media release criticising the army's involvement.
"I would like to acknowledge the hard work of the Australian Defence Force who have left their day jobs who've come across to help Northern Territory officials help our communities help the Aboriginal Medical organisations ensure that these people are cared for," Ms Fyles said.
"I think that people, whether they're individuals or organisations before they share something they need to make sure that they fact check their information."
Ms Fyles also urged eligible Territorians who received their second vaccination more than six months ago to go and get their booster shots.
“It provides you with that additional coverage,” she said, adding more than 4,000 Territorians had received their boosters already.
“For those people who received their vaccinations early on, a lot of our frontline health professional and emergency service workers, now is the time for them to get that booster shot.”
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Northern Territory records zero new local cases of COVID-19 - ABC News
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