Four new cases and more exposure sites for SA but mystery case ruled a false positive

SA Health has released new rules for visiting public hospitals, including an order to provide your vaccination certificate.

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New visitor guidelines will kick in at public hospitals from December 7 in Adelaide - with unvaccinated visitors having to wear protective clothing and get a Covid test.

Under the new guidelines, one visitor will be able to see a patient for two hours at a time, with allowances made for paediatric patients and in certain circumstances when approved by the Hospital or Local Health Network.

All visitors must provide proof of an TGA approved COVID-19 vaccination status upon entry, unless they have an approved medical exemption, or a child 12 years or less.

“Unvaccinated visitors who visit a hospital will be required to undertake a COVID-19 test (PCR) 48 hours after their visit and subsequently and routinely thereafter if visiting regularly,” the statement said.

When asked why visitors would not have to be tested before entry, SA Health said hospitals were a place where a visit may not always be possible to plan in advance.

“There are instances where a visitor may need to enter urgently and not have time to wait for a result of a COVID-19 test to be returned.

“Rather than restricting visitor access, as a risk mitigation approach, we are asking unvaccinated visitors to complete a test after their visit.

“If a test returns positive, our hospitals will follow their strict processes in dealing with COVID positive patients and close contacts.”

Unvaccinated visitors will be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in hospital.

In most settings, this will be a mask and eye wear and sometimes also a gown and gloves.

If required, PPE will be supplied too.

Grant Stevens, Stephen Wade, Steven Marshall and Nicola Spurrier at a Covid Press Conference at Old Parliament House. Picture: Simon Cross

SA Health said public hospitals will support all birthing patients to have a partner or designated support person present during their baby’s birth and appropriate PPE will be supplied by the hospital when required.

While the new document provides guideline for hospital visitors, Local Health Networks will still determine what specific visitor requirements are best for their patients.

“We will continue to monitor the situation across the state and adjust the visitor requirements to our facilities where required to ensure our patient and staff’s safety is prioritised.”

There were four new cases of Covid reported on Monday.

That brings to 971 the total number of cases reported in South Australia to date.

Monday’s cases are two men aged in their 20s and 60s and two women aged in their 30s and 50s.

Meanwhile, a mystery case who was previously classified as unlinked and spent time in the Port Noarlunga region has been identified as a false positive. There is no risk to the public and this case has been removed from SA Health’s numbers.

Monday’s cases include one linked to the Norwood cluster, two interstate travellers and one from overseas.

And a case reported on Sunday as being under investigation has been classified as interstate acquired.

The state’s health authorities met again on Monday afternoon and decided there would be no changes to borders for now. However, SA authorities have put in more “speedbumps” in the path of Covid for those entering our state.

The directions is chaired by SA Health CE Chris McGowan and recommends all restrictions to the Chief of Police Grant Stevens to authorise as state co-ordinator. It is mostly made up of senior police and health officials such as Professor Nicola Spurrier.

Earlier, new exposure sites were revealed by SA Health.

On Sunday, the state recorded six new Covid-19 cases, including two linked to the Norwood cluster.

Four males, including one teenager and others in their 20s, 30s and 50s tested positive along with two females in their 20s and 50s.

The new exposure sites were updated late Sunday, including Istanbul Lounge at Kensington Park, Qantas Flight QF741 from Sydney, and Virgin Flight VA233 from Melbourne.

Anyone who visited those sites at various times on Sunday and Friday are considered close contacts.

Other casual contact exposure locations include Fishbank Restaurant at Adelaide, Press Food and Wine in the city, Europa at Glenelg, the RAA Cafe Mile End, Qantas Flight QF741 from Sydney and Virgin Flight VA233.

Two of the cases are related to the Norwood cluster, which now stands at 24.

All six of Sunday’s cases were vaccinated. One case was acquired overseas, two interstate and two locally. The origin of the sixth case is under investigation.

There have now been 968 cases reported in South Australia to date, with 46 cases currently active.

SA Health advises that if you were at a close contact site and unvaccinated, you must quarantine for 14 days and get tested on days 1, 6 and 13. If you are vaccinated, you must quarantine for seven days and get tested on days 1, 6 and 13.SA Health said contacts will not always receive an SMS or email – and people who have even minor symptoms should be tested immediately.