Border Watch: Chief Public Health Officer fears SA could face second wave of coronavirus cases from interstate
SA’s Chief Public Health Officer has issued a new warning about a fresh coronavirus risk from state border crossings, amid fears we could face a potential second wave of COVID-19 cases.
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South Australia faces a fresh coronavirus risk from state border crossings, authorities will warn on Wednesday, prompting a new public health alert to prevent a potential second wave of COVID-19 cases.
Official police figures show 27,104 people have legally travelled into SA in the six weeks since restrictions came into force.
But SA’s top public doctor has warned essential travellers are the state’s new main risk, as Victoria battles a fresh cluster.
SA recorded a fortnight of no cases on Wednesday, a major milestone in the fight against COVID-19.
“Our biggest risk now in South Australia is travellers coming into the state,” SA’s chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier told The Advertiser on Tuesday night.
“We don’t want to have even one new case or see a new cluster in South Australia, so it is really important we don’t become complacent. Let’s not undo all the good.”
As the State Government considers lifting several restrictions from next week, SA Health officials are increasingly concerned a consistent low number of local cases could also lead to community complacency around social distancing and limiting gatherings to a maximum of 10 people.
The state’s biggest local coronavirus cluster in the Barossa Valley infected 39 people and was blamed on interstate and international travel.
Authorities say a virus outbreak at a Melbourne abattoir is behind most of Australia’s increase of 25 cases in the past 24 hours.
While no border clampdowns are planned, Prof Spurrier urged good hygiene, social distancing, patients to get tested for even the mildest of illness and people to download the official COVIDSafe app.
She yesterday announced the total number of local virus patients had been at 438 for 13 days.
While 98 per cent of patients are recovered – including two new patients yesterday – five remain ill, two of whom are being cared for at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. The active cases are in West Torrens, Burnside and Campbelltown council areas.
Police figures show 12,881 people coming into SA were deemed essential travellers, while more than 14,000 others were ordered into quarantine.
Police have checked on 29,110 individuals or businesses, while officers have fined 135 people and cautioned a further 118 others for rule breaches.
“Despite being almost two weeks with no cases, we’re still seeing new outbreaks and clusters forming interstate, particularly in Victoria,” Prof Spurrier said. “Although we have very strong border controls, thousands of essential travellers are still coming into our state and I am concerned there’s a risk someone may bring COVID-19 infection with them.
“We absolutely understand the border controls and quarantine requirements can make it difficult to stay in touch with loved ones, but as long as there is COVID-19, there is always a local threat.
“South Australians so far have done a fantastic job maintaining social distance, avoiding unnecessary travel and getting tested when they’ve shown symptoms.”
Premier Steven Marshall said border restrictions had stopped a flow of travel.
“The current numbers that are coming across the border are just a fraction of where they were months ago,” he said.
“A risk assessment is done on each of these travellers. As we can see from the results we have been getting, there has been no increase in transmission due to the relatively small number of people that are coming across the borders.”
A police spokesman said it was pleasing a majority of travellers were complying. “It is vital that everyone plays their part by complying with the border restrictions,” he said.