Jay Weatherill, the Norwood Covid cluster, and what happened next
The ex-premier caught Covid at a school reunion and is now “too sick” to talk, while other prominent South Aussies who met with him are now in isolation for a week.
Coronavirus
Don't miss out on the headlines from Coronavirus. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The random, intertwined and potentially far-reaching nature of the spread of Covid-19 has been forcefully brought home to South Australians by the disarray and mild panic brought about by former premier Jay Weatherill’s positive coronavirus test.
Mr Weatherill has now been confined to the Tom’s Court medi-hotel for two week and was yesterday not feeling well enough to talk to The Advertiser as he battled Covid-19. The Advertiser requested an interview with Mr Weatherill, who texted the reporter to say he was “too sick” to talk.
It’s been a rough few days for the former SA premier, who now lives in Western Australia, after accepting a post-political job as chief executive of Thrive by Five, a children’s advocacy organisation that falls under the umbrella of mining magnate Andrew Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation.
Mr Weatherill was back in town to catch up with mates at his 40-year school reunion but the former premier also used his time back in his home town to talk up his new job, promote the cause of education for young kids and catch up with a few old political mates.
The upshot has been that a veritable who’s who of Adelaide’s upper echelons has spent the past 36 hours rushing to be Covid-tested after being in close contact with Mr Weatherill.
The subsequent chaos even led to the temporary shutting down of state parliament on Thursday. However, that was short-lived. Later that day the lower house voted not to sit again until two months after the March state election, while the upper house will return in February.
The drama started on Saturday at the Henley High reunion, held at Norwood’s Theatre Bugs. It’s believed an interstate traveller came to the show with the undetected virus and prompted the Norwood cluster which has now grown to 18 cases.
Despite the severity of Mr Weatherill’s illness, none of the former premier’s deemed close contacts have tested positive so far, but even those who returned a negative result will be in isolation for at least the next seven days, then be required to wear a mask for another week after that.
They will also need to undergo further tests.
Mr Weatherill caught up with SA Governor Frances Adamson on Sunday at Government House. The Governor tested negative but not before attending the Lord Mayor’s annual Christmas lunch.
On Monday, Mr Weatherill had a coffee with Peter Malinauskas, his replacement as Labor Leader, and his former deputy John Rau.
The trio were spotted drinking coffee outside at North Terrace restaurant Parlamento.
Mr Malinauskas said he found out from the media at 8.20pm Wednesday that his former leader had tested positive and that he immediately went to Victoria Park to be tested.
He returned a negative result but went back later with his kids, who were also tested.
When it was deemed state parliament was safe to resume on Thursday afternoon, Mr Malinauskas tweeted a picture of himself tuning into the online coverage.
By Tuesday, Mr Weatherill was spruiking Thrive by Five to media outlets including The Advertiser.
The former premier had lunch at Press on Waymouth St with editor Gemma Jones and editor-at-large Paul Starick.
He also had an in-studio interview with FIVEaa breakfast duo David Penberthy and Will Goodings.
All are now in isolation. The state left to adjust to life living with Covid.
A spokesman for West Australian Health Minister Roger Cook said when Mr Weatherill was cleared to fly again, he would need to observe any current restrictions upon his return. “This could potentially involve a further 14 days of quarantine depending on WA’s risk rating for South Australia at the time,” he said.
‘It can be fatal’: Health warning for SA babies as RSV spike climbs
A health alert has been issued to SA parents after a shock spike in RSV cases presenting to emergency rooms – with more than half being young children under the age of 5.
New emergency ‘threats’ putting SA at risk, landmark inquiry finds
The Covid pandemic, River Murray flood crisis, bushfires and statewide blackout were all declared major emergencies over past 20 years. Now, a major inquiry identifies new threats risking state.