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.
We are implementing immediate restrictions from midnight tonight, to limit the transmission of coronavirus in #SouthAustralia.
Time is of the essence and we are acting swiftly and decisively to stay ahead. pic.twitter.com/phjdcygqCV
— Steven Marshall, MP (@marshall_steven) November 16, 2020
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
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Friday 13 November 4.01 pm – 5.30 pm
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Thursday 12 November 4.30 pm – 5.30 pm
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Monday 9 November 10.14am – 11.05 am
Bust (GA1/GA2/GA3) from Bus Stop near train station
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Tuesday 10 November 5.30 pm – 6.30 pm
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Wednesday 11 November 3.40 pm — 4.38 pm
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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
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Friday 13 November 6.40 am – 7.40 am
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Thursday 12 November 6.30 am – 7.40 am
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Wednesday 11 November 6.38 am – 7.30 am
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Tuesday 10 November 6.30 am – 7.40 am
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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
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Saturday 14 November 10.00 am – 11.00 am
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Friday 13 November 10.00 am – 12.00 pm
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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.
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2020-11-16 20:30:00
