Covid case in Broken Hill, no border or restriction changes as authorities remain on high alert over NSW and Victoria

SA is on high alert after a Covid case emerged on SA’s doorstep in Broken Hill. It comes as the police warn of lengthy delays for travellers crossing the NT border into SA.

South Australia’s Covid-19 authorities are on full alert about the highly contagious Delta strain on the state’s doorstep after the first infectious Covid-19 case was identified in Broken Hill.

The state’s transition committee on Tuesday declined to ease any Covid-19 restrictions after the ill patient travelled through the far west of NSW while infectious in recent days.

Authorities were last night urgently tracking the Broken Hill resident’s movements, and any close contacts, as the patient isolated at their home.

The travel included an almost 200km trip east to a Wilcannia funeral last Friday and visiting a local cafe for 20 minutes on Monday – the day they were tested.

SA Health has also contacted more than 560 people who visited the area since late last week to advise urgent testing.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said authorities were “very concerned” about NSW and the “elevated” Broken Hill risk. He said another border crackdown was unnecessary because SA shut its cross-­border bubble with NSW regions on Saturday for all but essential travel, hours after wastewater tests detected corona­virus in local sewage.

“At the moment what we’re facing in terms of the Delta strain and the spread of the virus in NSW … dictates we have these levels of protection,” he said. “On that basis we’re not making any changes at this point in time.”

Chief public health officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, who will on Wednesday conduct a live advertiser.com.au chat, urged Broken Hill visitors in recent days to monitor for symptoms. “We continue to closely monitor this situation,” she said.

Broken Hill Mayor Darriea Turley said its 19,000 residents were in “shock”. “The next 48 hours will be crucial,” she said.

Mr Stevens, who authorises legal directions as state co-ordinator, said all restrictions were reviewed.

Another committee meeting is planned for later this week. Officials are considering boosting home gathering caps and easing Queensland borders. Mask use will likely stay for at least another fortnight.

Mr Stevens will on Wednesday reveal police findings into the worst quarantine breach at the Grand Chancellor medi-hotel.

Internal investigation section detectives reviewed how a man quarantining at the hotel – who has tested negative and was fully vaccinated – drank beers and ate burgers in Hindley St for eight hours last Thursday night.

One line of inquiry was that he left via a fire escape. Mr Stevens said “any breach is of concern”.

A Queensland woman, 37, and a Smithfield Plains man, 40, will front court on Wednesday charged with leaving her Adelaide quarantine address.

The last Modbury cluster patient, a man in his 20s, is now out of intensive care.