SA Health plans defences for future COVID-19 outbreaks including targeted restrictions, mobile clinics and more contact tracing
With our state’s COVID-19 situation under control, SA Health is planning countermeasures for future outbreaks like the one Victoria is experiencing.
Coronavirus News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Coronavirus News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Tuesday updates: More freedom as SA moves to phase three
- SA sends team of experts to combat Victorian second wave
South Australians have been told to expect more coronavirus cases as lockdowns and border restrictions lift, with authorities preparing a targeted plan to stop widespread outbreaks.
Premier Steven Marshall said Victorian border restrictions could be eased while keeping special restrictions for those from hotspot areas.
SA Health’s plans for future outbreaks include local hotspot lockdowns, mobile testing clinics, boosting contact tracing and freeing up hospitals.
Authorities are increasingly concerned about the spike in Victorian cases after that state recorded its sixth day of double-digit growth with 16 new patients and have warned against complacency.
The State Government’s powerful transition committee of senior public officials meets on Tuesday to debate borders, venue capacity and crowd numbers for mass gatherings.
With borders set to be opened on July 20, Mr Marshall said it was “very likely” SA could impose targeted restrictions on people arriving from Victorian hot spots but not from other areas where COVID-19 was under control.
Mr Marshall, who on Monday toured the Detmold factory where face masks are being locally made, told The Advertiser it was “absolutely possible” to identify where someone resides and then enforce differential restrictions.
“SA led the way in terms of having those restrictions put in place around geographic area,” he said.
“We did it when there were two clusters in the Barossa. It was very, very effective.”
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee is currently examining how to contain clusters, including travel restrictions. National cabinet meets on Friday.
Mr Marshall said the easing of movement to New South Wales and ACT was being monitored as officials studied science, evidence and epidemiology.
“We won’t be doing anything to undo the good work and achievements of the people of SA,” he said. “If it’s not safe to open the border on July 20, then we won’t. We are not going to be playing into fear.
“We have got an obligation to open up our economy and get people back to work.”
Revealing some of the state’s response, chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier urged people to maintain good hygiene, follow social distancing rules and seek tests for any illness.
“With the relaxing of restrictions and the increase of interstate or international visitors, there is no doubt we will see more cases – whether that be a single case or new clusters – so we must not become complacent,” she said.
“Freeing up hospital capacity, targeted hotspot lockdowns, pop-up COVID-19 clinics and increased contact tracing capabilities will all be part of the response.”
Since February, she said SA Health has developed pandemic, rapid response, surveillance and aged care guidelines “to clearly outline the steps we will take to tackle COVID-19”.
SA Health on Monday revealed the 27th day of zero daily cases and 19 days of no “active” patients.
Health Minister Stephen Wade said it was “unrealistic to think that there will be no more cases”. “We must not undo all the good work we have done, hard work which allows the state to ease restrictions quicker, and safer,” he said.
Latest police figures show compliance across the state has been slipping. Of the 29,803 emergency compliance checks on people, 26,817, or 89 per cent, were following rules. Officials say that at the pandemic’s peak in March it was 98, or 99 per cent. Last month an SA Health survey found the public were becoming less vigilant about following virus advice because they believe there is a lower risk of infection.
Authorities have been drawing up plans for weeks on how to prevent a possible second wave of virus cases. Prof Spurrier said personal protective equipment supplies were boosted, testing capabilities, and contact tracing levels increased while facility upgrades fast-tracked “to ensure we have ample capacity and capability across the health system”.