Coronavirus SA: Levels of overseas arrivals with COVID-19 of ‘increasing concern’, warns Professor Nicola Spurrier

Levels of infectious overseas arrivals is of ‘increasing concern’, warns Professor Nicola Spurrier, as COVID-19 levels keep climbing.

The number of travellers testing positive for COVID-19 in South Australia is of “increasing concern”, the state’s coronavirus chief has warned.

SA Health on Wednesday recorded two new ill women, aged in their 20s and 30s, as infection levels climbed to levels not witnessed since the worst outbreak five months ago.

The pair, who arrived in Adelaide from an undisclosed country, are in stable conditions at the Tom’s Court COVID-19 facility.

The women, who are not linked, are among 20 “active”, or infectious, patients.

Records show this is the highest level since November 27 last year, at the Parafield cluster’s peak.

The Advertiser on Tuesday revealed one case of the “double mutation” Indian variant, a female in her 30s.

Chief public health officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, on Wednesday night warned the number of arrivals “testing positive for COVID-19 is of increasing concern”.

“Given the increasing rates of increasing COVID-19 cases overseas, it is not surprising we are seeing more positive cases in our medi-hotels,” she said.

“Our medi-hotel program remains a crucial part of our defence against COVID-19 and is allowing us to continue to enjoy an enviable lifestyle in South Australia whilst we all work towards vaccinating our community,” she said.

“We have stepped up our defences with the use of a COVID-19 dedicated facility.

“We have (also) strengthened our medi-hotel security model with the increased use of CCTV for remote security as well as roving security guards.

“We will continue to monitor the situation, and on behalf of all of us, I would like to thank our frontline staff who are working tirelessly to keep our community safe.”

Professor Nicola Spurrier has warned about the increasing levels of infectious patients in SA medi-hotels. Picture: Emma Brasier

The Sunday Mail revealed the number of foreign travellers arriving in South Australia has raised concerns among the state’s top coronavirus authorities.

As the state this week recorded a year of medi-hotel quarantine, which will cost taxpayers more than $100 million, confidential government papers lay bare issues the COVID-19 Transition Committee had with travel risks.

A man in his 40s and a woman in her 20s were in stable conditions on Wednesday night in the Royal Adelaide Hospital’s COVID-19 ward.

The man has other health issues. Another traveller in his 40s, is also stable in the ward after he was this week left intensive care.

SA Health also met with Adelaide Oval bosses on Wednesday over its full crowd capacity plans but “further discussions are required”, an agency spokeswoman said.

Authorities are under mounting pressure to approve the plans ahead of the Power and Crows Showdown blockbuster early next month.

“Further discussions are required between all relevant authorities to ensure any change to the COVID Management plan for Adelaide Oval is based on a risk assessment including the (virus) situation in SA, across Australia and internationally,” she said

SA Health, which has come under fire over claims it is “hiding” the slow vaccine rollout after changing its public reporting methods, has jabbed almost 50,000 frontline health and medi-hotel staff.

Federal figures show almost 130,000 vials have been issued in total. SA Health has denied it is “fudging” its reporting.

The government also defended the timing to open mass vaccination sites across Adelaide over the coming weeks.

The Wayville Showgrounds will open by the end of the month while the former masters site and the Playford Civic Centre will not launch for at least five weeks.

Officials said they needed to take into account modelling, logistic planning and Commonwealth supplies.