SA Covid updates for Saturday, July 3: One new case, but authorities suspect an old infection
SA recorded one new Covid case on Saturday, a man who tested positive after he left a medi-hotel – as a sick woman and her baby were taken to the WCH.
Coronavirus
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A traveller has tested positive for Covid-19 after leaving Adelaide hotel quarantine – but authorities insist he is not a community risk.
The man, aged in his 20s, returned a “weak” positive coronavirus, three days after leaving his medi-hotel but SA Health has concluded he was not infectious while in Australia.
Medical experts believe the day-17 test result – emerging after 14 days of mandatory isolation – is the traveller “shedding” the virus, which can occur up to three months after an infection.
While it is officially classed as under investigation, officials say it is highly likely he will be deemed an historical or old infection in coming days due to him being sick overseas.
“Further tests are being carried out to confirm this,” an SA Health spokeswoman said.
NSW has recorded 35 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday as the chances of the Sydney lockdown being extended grow.
The new SA case emerged as the sick baby daughter of an ill miner, aged in his 30s, was taken to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital on Saturday for a Covid-19 assessment.
The infant, who is less than 12 months’ old, had been deemed “clinically well” but officials say it was a precautionary assessment.
Her sick mother, also aged in her 30s, also went to hospital. They have now returned to Tom’ Court Covid-19 facility.
The infant’s father, a fly-in-fly-out worker at the Northern Territory’s Tanami goldmine site, almost 550km northwest of Alice Springs, was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital on Friday for checks amid fears his condition was deteriorating.
The man, who hails from Adelaide’s northeast, is recovering in Tom’s Court in Adelaide’s CBD along with his other three children, all of whom are aged under 10.
They have also contracted the virus.
They are in a stable condition. The family’s pregnant pet dog, Madeline, a St Bernard, is isolating at the RSPCA for 14 days.
A “double ring” was placed around 344 primary and 134 secondary contacts to isolate.
A group of 17 close family contacts, including grandparents, have tested negative.
All 116 fellow Virgin travellers are isolating and just two results are outstanding. The other travellers are negative for the virus.
All 14 workers at the KFC outlet at Torrensville, where the miner bought food through its drive through have returned negative results.
Official figures show 11,862 people had Covid tests on Friday, a total that is among the state’s highest.
SA Health on Friday night announced Adelaide’s biggest Covid-testing clinic at Victoria Park would open around the clock until midnight on Monday.
Young Aussies in rush for AZ
Thousands of young people have been vaccinated with AstraZeneca in the past week as the state’s Covid-19 vaccine rollout is set to be expanded from Monday.
Commonwealth data shows that between Tuesday and Friday almost 7000 people aged under 40 had an AstraZeneca jab after authorities allowed access. This compares with 588 AstraZeneca jabs in the previous four days.
After a national cabinet meeting during the week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced those under 40 could access the AstraZeneca vaccine after consulting with their GP about the risks of blood clots.
The national rollout, which has come under fire for being sluggish, was dealt a blow from experts who recommended a Pfizer shot for people younger than 60.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation advice limited AstraZeneca Covid-19 jabs to over-60s.
AstraZeneca will be phased out after October.
From Monday, the state’s rollout will expand when 25 general medical practices will be able to administer Pfizer.
Currently, GPs can give an AstraZeneca dose. The program will then expand to more than 110 SA practices.
A federal Health Department spokeswoman said practices with limited access – in regional or remote locations – had been given priority.
A mass vaccination hub will also open in Victor Harbor on Monday before a similar clinic begins operation at Mount Barker the following week.
SA Health wants at least 80 per cent of the adult population inoculated by October.
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