Elective surgery ramps up, fourth day of zero new COVID-19 cases
It’s International Nurses Day, and SA has recorded no new coronavirus cases for the fifth consecutive day. Just one active case remains in the state.
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South Australia continues its successful containment of COVID-19 with no new cases on Tuesday and just one active case being monitored.
One person remains in hospital recovering from the effects of fighting the disease.
There have been 439 cases recorded in SA, including 434 people who have recovered. Four people have died from the disease.
SA Pathology has conducted more than 71,000 tests for the disease.
Nationally an additional 18 cases of coronavirus were diagnosed in the 24 hours to 3pm on Tuesday, taking the national total to 6964.
Almost 900,000 tests have been conducted across the nation during the pandemic so far. Nearly 900 tests were conducted in SA on Monday.
South Australian COVID-19 update 12/05/20.
— SA Health (@SAHealth) May 12, 2020
For more information go to https://t.co/mYnZsG7zGQ or contact the South Australian COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787 pic.twitter.com/XYnYf5LRPE
Elective surgery ramps up
Elective surgery will be ramped up within days as wait lists blow out and authorities issue a fresh plea for unwell people to get tested amid a zero case streak.
SA Health revealed on Monday that total number of local COVID-19 cases has remained at 439 for the past four days.
Monday was the first time no health official had appeared in public in several weeks despite the easing of restrictions coming into force.
In a government online forum on Monday night, chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier implored ill patients to be tested, and the public to maintain social distancing, as she revealed she had a negative test on Sunday over a “blocked nose”. It is the second time she has returned a negative test.
“I can’t stress that enough,” she said of getting tested and preventing a “second wave”.
“I am practising what I preach.”
Elective surgery is due to “ramp up” within days after the health system boosted capacity and sourced protective equipment.
While the State Government would not be drawn on specifics, details are expected to be announced imminently, as early as Tuesday.
Prof Spurrier told the social media-based forum with Premier Steven Marshall: “We are very keen to get on to our waiting list … and get back to normal.”
Last week, SA Health chief executive Dr Chris McGowan told MPs of a “great concern” that cancelled elective surgery wait lists had “blown out”.
Official figures show a record backlog of 20,163 surgeries while 2408 patients are on an overdue list.
Health Minister Stephen Wade told The Advertiser an expert taskforce had provided official advice “about how to safely ramp up the levels of elective surgery” after a 25 per cent cap is lifted.
“In the coming days, we will outline the next steps to … increase elective surgery to provide South Australians with the care they need while … ensuring we have adequate supplies of clinical tools and PPE if another COVID-19 outbreak were to occur,” he said.
Opposition health spokesman Chris Picton said urgent plans were needed to explain how it would tackle the backlog.
“Many patients have been waiting in significant pain … and we should be taking urgent action to help them get their surgery,” he said.
A British migrant in his 70s, from the Onkaparinga Council area, is SA’s only active case after he arrived in March as five close contacts isolate.
Figures show 433 people have recovered and more than 70,000 tests have occurred.
Prof Spurrier also disclosed negotiations with Western Australia about a testing trial of asymptomatic teachers.
On Monday deputy chief public health officer Dr Michael Cusack urged “good” hygiene, social distancing, and ill patients to get tested: “Our ultimate aim is to have no COVID-19 in the community and this will not be possible without us continuing to do the right things.”
Day to salute some dedicated workers
The value and importance of nurses has never been more evident than during the coronavirus epidemic that has killed overseas colleagues, health leaders say.
International Nurses Day is celebrated worldwide on Tuesday, the birthdate of Florence Nightingale, a British nurse feted as the founder of modern nursing, who died in 1910.
Vigils will be held to mourn nurses worldwide who have died from COVID-19.
All Royal Flying Doctor Service planes will carry “We Love Our Nurses & Midwives” badging in recognition.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation state secretary, Elizabeth Dabars, paid tribute to frontline nurses and midwives as “our true heroes”.
She said this year, in which so many nurses had died overseas “reminded us all of (their) value and importance”.
“Confronted with the most difficult of situations, nurses and midwives have risen to the challenge,” she said.
Rebecca Badcock, nursing executive director at the Central Adelaide Local Health Network, which operates the Royal Adelaide Hospital, gave a “huge” public thankyou to her teams who work “tirelessly” to keep patients safe.
“Their response to the coronavirus outbreak has been remarkable, but not surprising – looking after those in need is at the core of what we do,” she said.
Proud nurses include Arianne Pancho, 34, and Megan Frankenfeld, 28, who both work in emergency, Ashlee Routley, 30, from infectious diseases, ICU worker Sophie Dohnt, 34, and clinic staffer Chenae Spencer-Attard, 23.