Cluster grows as second wave fears escalate

South Australia’s coronavirus cluster has grown further as health authorities desperately try and curtail the spread of Covid-19 within the community after more than half a year without local transmission.

Health Minister Stephen Wade told ABC News Breakfast there were now 20 cases after the state’s first locally acquired cases since April were announced on Sunday.

“We don’t know what will come but let’s put it this way, we’re very encouraged by the testing,” he said.

Mr Wade said 17 of the infections were family members, two were security guards who worked at the medi-hotel where one of the family members work while one is a close contact of the family.

Virus likely spread from surface

He said early investigations indicated there was no breach at the medi-hotel where one of the family members, a 50-year-old woman, is believed to have contracted the virus.

“We need to remember that COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease,” he said, suggesting it was likely she caught the virus from a surface inside the hotel.

“Even highly trained health professionals with full PPE in an acute hospital environment have contracted the virus. We know that the COVID-19 can be transmitted through surface infections.”

The Parafield family cluster includes a one-year-old baby and three children.

More than 40 locations have been identified as being linked to the Parafield cluster as SA Health urge residents to monitor for symptoms.

On Monday afternoon, Premier Steven Marshall returned some of the state’s coronavirus restrictions as the SA government scrambles to get on top of the “very dangerous situation”.

From Tuesday all gyms, recreation centres and play cafes are closed for two weeks with community sports fixtures and training cancelled.

The outbreak stood at 17 on Monday.

Care home rocked by infections

There are four cases linked to an Anglicare aged care home in Brompton, which Anglicare SA CEO Peter Sandeman described as “the worst nightmare”.

All four are workers at the facility.

“If any resident tests positive they will be removed to hospital straight away,” he told Channel Nine’s Today show.

There have been lengthy queues at testing centres across Adelaide as residents respond to the news that has rocked the city after months of eradication within the community.

On Tuesday, federal Deputy Chief Health Officer Michael Kidd urged people in South Australia to wear masks when they leave their homes.

“Especially if they’re going on public transport or into situations where they may not be able to physically distance from other people,” he told ABC Breakfast.

Locations infected people spent time at:

SA Health are urging anyone who visited the following locations or travelled on the following bus routes to monitor for the slightest of symptoms and get tested immediately if they arise.

Adelaide

Bus 502 from Internode Adeladie Bus Stop on Grenfell Street

• Friday 13 November 4.01 pm – 5.30 pm

• Thursday 12 November 4.30 pm – 5.30 pm

• Monday 9 November 10.14am – 11.05 am

Bust (GA1/GA2/GA3) from Bus Stop near train station

• Tuesday 10 November 5.30 pm – 6.30 pm

• Wednesday 11 November 3.40 pm — 4.38 pm

• Saturday 7 November 5.30 pm – 6.30 pm

Mantra on Frome

It’s Convenient, 63 Waymouth St, Adelaide

Eastwood

Adelaide Eye and Laser Centre, 215 Greenhill Road

Edinburgh

SA Structural, 54 Kaurna Avenue

Elizabeth

Big W Elizabeth Shopping Centre

Elizabeth Shopping Centre

Harris Scarfe Elizabeth Shopping Centre

The Aquadome, 1 Crockerton Road

Enfield

Ekam Indian Groceries, Enfield Plaza

Findon

Woolworths Findon Road

Fulham Gardens

Fulham Gardens Community Centre – Festival of Lights function

Gepps Cross

Spotlight, 750 Main North Road

Ingle Farm

Coles South Ingle Farm Shopping Centre

Kurralta Park

Coles Anzac Highway

Mawson Lakes

Foodland Capital Street

Mint Leaf Lounge Mawson Lakes Boulevard

Parafield Gardens

Martins Road Family Medical Centre

Parafield Plaza Supermarket

Pooraka

On the Run Bridge Road

Port Adelaide

Hungry Jacks Commercial Road

Salisbury

Bus 405 Salisbury Bus Interchange

Bus 411 Salisbury Bus Interchange

Bus 500 Salisbury Bus Interchange

• Friday 13 November 6.40 am – 7.40 am

• Thursday 12 November 6.30 am – 7.40 am

• Wednesday 11 November 6.38 am – 7.30 am

• Tuesday 10 November 6.30 am – 7.40 am

• Monday 9 November 6.39 am – 7.40 am

Namaste Supermarket

Salisbury Bus Interchange

Salisbury City Fruitbowl

Salisbury Downs

Hollywood Plaza Surgery

McDonald’s Hollywood Plaza

Star Discount Chemist, Hollywood Plaza Surgery

Target Hollywood Plaza

Woolworths Hollywood Plaza

• Saturday 14 November 10.00 am – 11.00 am

• Friday 13 November 10.00 am – 12.00 pm

• Thursday 12 November 12.00 pm – 1.30

South Plympton

Jai Shiv Fruit Shop Marion Road

Woodville South

Woodville Pizza Bar Woodville Road

More to come.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.