SA chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier says coronavirus not going away in ‘foreseeable’ future
Coronavirus will not disappear, SA’s top doctor says, six months into the pandemic as she reveals her reaction to her growing cult status and speculation around a political future.
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South Australians must not give up hope despite coronavirus likely affecting their lives for the foreseeable future, the state’s top public doctor warns.
As the state marks six months on Saturday since the first virus patient was detected – and authorities prepare for a possible second wave of cases – chief medical officer Professor Nicola Spurrier warned a “sneaky” COVID-19 was not “disappearing”.
Urging the public to stay vigilant and maintain good hygiene and social distancing, she said high levels of testing – at least 3000 a day – were vital to fight outbreaks and community transmission.
Hopeful of a vaccine, she told The Advertiser that SA Health had embarked on a “huge amount of forward planning” to ward off a second wave.
Warning of community “divergence” on the virus’s dangers, she said authorities remained worried about cases emerging from interstate.
But while SA was fortunate to have low levels of cases that had allowed a relatively open economy, this also meant the virus was “much more easily transmitted if it gets here.
Asked if she could see a future without COVID, Prof Spurrier said: “No, because COVID is a virus and it is here. And so we’re going to continue to have COVID. We might have a vaccine, which will make life a lot easier.
“But COVID itself, as a virus, I don’t see just disappearing. I would be saying definitely we are going to be living with COVID for the foreseeable future.
“That doesn’t mean we live without hope and that doesn’t mean we live without enjoying a great lifestyle in South Australia.”
The first two SA cases – two Chinese doctors from the virus’s epicentre, Wuhan – were reported on February 1.
Since then, 450 patients have become infected and four grandparents died within a week in April in the Royal Adelaide Hospital’s intensive care unit – a “significant” time Prof Spurrier said she “felt quite impacted by”.
Francesco “Frank” Ferraro, 75, of Campbelltown, died on April 6. Linda Lavender, 62, of Morphett Vale, and Malcolm “Mal” Todd, 76, of Barmera, in the Riverland, died two days later. Roger Leaney, 74, of Valley View, died on April 11.
In her exclusive wide-ranging interview, Prof Spurrier said:
THE Victorian virus crisis was “very, very serious”.
SHE was hopeful of a vaccine but unsure of timing.
AUSTRALIA’S top medical experts were surprised by how ill the virus left patients, the difference in many symptoms and how some people’s conditions could deteriorate after more than a week, causing organ failure.
OTHER infectious diseases were at record low levels.
TRAVEL had changed but people should enjoy moving throughout SA.
LOCAL community responses had been “fabulous”.
HER confidence was “not shaken” by a missing email blunder about an infectious woman who arrived via Melbourne to visit her dying father.
Urging people to watch the health messages and not work if unwell, Prof Spurrier warned more cases were a reality.
“We know there is a very significant level of community transmission so for people who have been in Victoria, we would consider that really a very significant risk for us as a state,” she said.
“Keep doing the right thing. If you’ve got any symptoms at all, don’t go to work.
“Get yourself tested. Everyone keep washing your hands, keep up that physical distancing. Even though we haven’t had disease (much) in the state, just get used to doing it. If people aren’t queuing, well you just do the right thing and you might find that people actually follow your lead. So be a leader.”
Popular top doc rules out career in politics
By Andrew Hough
She’s become one of the state’s most recognised faces, thanks to her leadership during the fight against COVID-19, but Professor Nicola Spurrier has ruled out a jump to politics despite her cult following.
In a candid interview, Prof Spurrier, 53, lauded for her calm, measured guidance during the coronavirus pandemic, said she was a “good public servant” rather than a politician.
“I’m not interested in a political career,” the state’s chief public health officer said amid calls for her to be named South Australian of the Year.
“I love my job. I like what I’m doing. I’m here … because when what you’re doing aligns with your values then you will be successful. My passion is keeping people healthy. I have always wanted to do that prevention side.”
The paediatrician, who is also a mother of three, told how the crisis had affected her own life as she protected SA from a possible second wave.
Her day starts at 5.15am with a cup of tea in bed from husband, David, 54, before a run with pet border collie dog Daisy near their home in the city’s southeastern foothills.
Her first 7.30am meeting usually starts a 12-hour day working with a “fantastic team”. Her punishing workload includes serving on the nation’s medical advice panel – the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, which advises the national cabinet – and the state’s transition committee.
Having barely seen her family over the past six months since the state’s first COVID-19 case emerged, her 30th wedding anniversary present has been scuppered.
She was to accompany her husband, a top physiotherapist, to watch the Tokyo Olympics before he worked with the Australian Paralympic team.
“I can’t really call it a rollercoaster, because it has basically been full-on the whole time,” said Prof Spurrier, also a talented oboe player.
“We thought we were going to have a bit of a lull but that didn’t eventuate with the way things are in Victoria at the moment.”
Speaking in her ninth-floor Hindmarsh Square office surrounded by cards and newspaper cartoons of her work, she laughs about being recognised in the street.
“It’s lucky I’m an extrovert,” she said.
“It is really nice when people come up and chat. I will never feel lonely.”
Wider net for tracing
Vital contact tracing of future coronavirus patients will be widened to stop possible community transmission as SA Health considers removing “barriers” to testing clinics.
Officials are now testing ”upstream” when a patient contracts COVID-19 to identify to a possible infection source, along with “downstream” to prevent it spreading to other contacts.
“It’s broadening that testing and throw your net a bit wider,” chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said. “If you can find that chain of transmission, you might be able to stop other chains that have spread out from it.”
She said SA Pathology was close to launching a testing booking system at drive-through clinics instead of patients needing a GP referral. “It is because … we don’t want a whole lot of traffic congestion,” she said.
Officials are also monitoring self-collection and saliva testing in Victoria.
