SA officially avoids second wave from Parafield outbreak

The cluster that triggered a statewide lockdown has passed an important milestone, to the relief of health authorities.

Chief Public Health Officer Dr Nicola Spurrier. Picture: Tait Schmaal

South Australia has officially avoided a second wave of coronavirus, after more than a fortnight of no new daily cases linked to the Parafield cluster, the state’s COVID-19 health chief has declared.

Chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier also told The Advertiser the state was a “step closer” to formally closing the state’s worst cluster, after one virus incubation period ended.

The cluster has stood at 33 cases since November 28.

On Saturday, just four contacts of COVID-positive people remained in medi-hotel quarantine – down from a peak of more than 5000 a few weeks ago.

Praising her team and the wider public, Professor Spurrier said after more than a fortnight lapsing “with no further COVID cases, we are a step closer to officially closing off the Parafield cluster”.

She makes such formal declarations after 28 days, or two virus incubation cycles.

“While our last case linked to the cluster was notified two weeks ago, the last time someone was infectious in public was November 23, which means one full incubation period has already passed,” said Prof Spurrier just days after announcing the state was coronavirus free for the first time in more than two months.

“Although I haven’t taken the champagne off ice just yet, I’m confident that, for the time being, we’ve avoided our second wave.

“Despite the positive step, if you feel even mildly unwell with any symptom, including tiredness, a cough, scratchy or sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, fever or chills, an unexplained loss of smell or altered sense of taste, don’t wait, get a COVID-19 test right away.”

As SA Health reported a 14th consecutive day of zero new cases on Saturday and more than 767,000 tests conducted, new rules were published allowing 16-year-olds to become COVID marshals – down from an original minimum age of 18.

New legal directions published by SA Police late Friday also removed mandatory mask wearing in pharmacies from Monday, when a raft of virus bans also ease.

High-risk spots require masks until December 23, including in hospitals, aged-care facilities and allied health, as well as personal-care businesses, such as hairdresser or beauty salons.

The last SA patient infectious in public was a Year 9 Woodville High student, who went to school despite needing to be in quarantine.

Health Minister Stephen Wade said hard work ensured “the (cluster) spark … did not become a deadly bushfire”.

“SA is on track to bust the Parafield cluster and stare down a second wave like the one that caused so much pain in Victoria,” Mr Wade said.