The Northern Territory has hit triple figures in new COVID-19 infections with 117 detected as the virus spreads through the community.

A baby has tested positive for the virus in Katherine, 320km south of Darwin, amid fears the Omicron variant may have reached the town.

“Concerningly, we have a mother and very young baby that are unwell,” Health Minister Natasha Fyles told reporters on Wednesday.

“They are being transferred to Royal Darwin Hospital.

“The baby has tested positive to COVID and is seriously unwell”.

Authorities are working to determine if the pair are infected with Omicron or whether the cases are part of the Delta outbreak that started in Darwin in late October.

Of the 117 cases, Ms Fyles said 29 were locally acquired, up from three cases on Tuesday.

“That is a significant increase,” she said.

“It is concerning for Territorians that rise in community transmission”.

More than 30 are known close contacts and 48 cases were recent arrivals to the territory.

Nine infections remain under investigation and the majority of the cases are in the Darwin area.

However, five people have tested positive in Katherine and six cases were found in Yulara, 18km from world heritage listed Uluru.

There were also two cases detected in Borroloola, 970km southeast of Darwin.

Five people are receiving care for virus symptoms in hospital and one unvaccinated person is on a ventilator in intensive care.

– AAP