What we know about the Parafield COVID-19 cluster so far

South Australia is reeling from its first serious coronavirus outbreak in nearly seven months. Here’s what we know so far.

The number of positive coronavirus cases in the new SA cluster has leapt to 17 overnight and that is expected to grow.

Fifteen of the cases are part of the original family cluster that was revealed on Sunday. Two more cases are linked.

Two of the cases work in aged care and another case works at Hungry Jack’s at Port Adelaide. That aged care facility and the Hungry Jack’s restaurant have now been closed.

The cases are the first community transmission in the state since April 15.

It comes after SA recorded three COVID-19 cases in one day on Sunday, the worst SA ­cluster to date, all stemming form a medi-hotel on Waymouth St in the CBD. A fourth, who worked in a prison, was later confirmed.

This is what we know so far:

WHERE DID THE CASES ORIGINATE?

It has not yet been confirmed where the new cases have originated from, but SA’s Chief Public Health Officer Prof Nicola Spurrier believes a CBD medi-hotel is the likely source.

“I’m absolutely certain it has come from a medi-hotel,” she said.

“Obviously this is where we’re considering the source to be”.

This is still “very, very early information,” Prof Spurrier added.

We’ll know more soon, once genomic testing has been completed to determine the source.

Mawson Lakes Primary School and the accompanying preschool have been closed. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

HOW ARE AUTHORITIES DEALING WITH IT?

The announcement of the cluster breakout has led to several closures of schools and businesses, with others introducing temporary lockdown procedures.

Mawson Lakes Primary School and the accompanying preschool have been closed out of an “an abundance of caution” after it was announced one case was a student.

An employee of Hungry Jack’s Port Adelaide tested positive, leading to closure of the store.

Thomas More College at Salisbury Downs has been closed as it has been confirmed a Year 8 student tested positive, and an unnamed aged care facility.

The Department of Corrections has activated a rapid response team to Yatala Labour Prison.

All people in immediate contact to the points of interest will be contacted throughout the day.

Parafield Plaza Supermarket has also been closed after it was announced a woman in her 80s who tested positive visited the centre between 10.30am and 11.30am last Thursday.

A mobile testing clinic has opened on the corner of Lockheed Lane and Butler Avenue in Parafield.

All of the state’s Calvary Hospitals have closed to visitors, as well as Resthaven Aged Care Homes.

SA Health has released an urgent alert for a swathe of locations across Adelaide’s northern suburbs, including bus routes, bus stops, a major shopping centre and an aquadome.

Anyone who visited these locations on the dates and times specified should monitor themselves for symptoms but do not need to self-quarantine.

They should get tested immediately if symptoms appear.

WHAT HAS BEEN CLOSED SO FAR?

* Hungry Jack’s, Port Adelaide

* Mawson Lakes primary and preschool

* Thomas More College at Salisbury Downs

* Parafield Plaza supermarket

* An aged care facility

* Calvary Hospitals – no visitors

* Resthaven Aged Care Homes – no visitors

* People who were at series of locations listed by SA Health on Monday morning should monitor themselves for symptoms but do not need to self-quarantine. They should get tested immediately if symptoms appear.

Calvary Hospital has stopped visits to its hospitals apart from admitted babies and children aged up to 17 who may have one parent or carer present at all times.

Visits for patients receiving palliative care will be assessed on a case by cases basis. Calvary released a statement saying:

“With SA Health reporting growing instances of community transmission in Adelaide, Calvary has temporarily suspended general visitation at Calvary Adelaide, Calvary North Adelaide and Calvary Central Districts Hospitals, as well as Calvary Flora McDonald Retirement Community.

“Special exceptions are in place for obstetrics and paediatrics patients, as well as for people who are receiving palliative care or who are at end of life.

“Calvary hasn’t taken this decision lightly. We have introduced this measure with speed to ensure the safest possible environment for the vulnerable people in our care.”

Parafield Plaza supermarkett is now closed for deep cleaning. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

Hundreds of people are queueing outside a Parafield Airport COVID-19 testing site – and other testing stations across SA.

Thomas More College, Mawson Lakes primary and preschool and the majority of shops at Parafield Plaza Shopping Centre have also been temporarily closed as SA Health attempt to contain the virus.

However, two businesses, a Liquorland and an independent supermarket, remain open at Parafield Plaza Shopping Centre.

A Liquorland staff member said she had been told not to speak to the media while the owner of the supermarket, who wished to remain anonymous, said he had not been given any directions from SA Health.

Local shopper and carer Tammy wondered why the businesses remained open while others were closed.

“They should not be open,” Tammy said.

“I don’t get it.”

Another man, who did not want to be named, was concerned as he had to pick up medication at his local pharmacy which had been closed.

The testing facility at Parafield has seen hundreds swarm for swabs. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

WERE ANY OF THE CASES AT THE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT?

At this stage, it cannot be confirmed whether any of the 17 cases attended Saturday’s Christmas Pageant.

“I do not have that information,” Dr Spurrier said this morning.

WILL SA CLOSE ITS BORDERS?

Western Australia immediately changed its border rules because of the cluster.

All SA travellers who arrived at Perth Airport on Sunday afternoon will undergo mandatory testing, and must self-quarantine for 14 days.

Anyone who arrived in the state by road or air on Saturday or Sunday can expect to be contacted by WA officials to be tested and self-quarantine until the results come back.

The Northern Territory declared SA as a hotspot around 9.30am on Monday morning, closing its borders too.

Tasmania shortly followed, joining the NT on imposing mandatory 14-day quarantine.

All entries to Tasmania from SA since 9 November are required to self-isolate.

Victoria joined the NT in naming SA a hotspot, meaning arrivals from Adelade are required to interview and potentially undergo rapid virus testing.

Queensland has also joined the trend, declaring mandatory self-quarantine from midnight tonight.

WHY HASN’T MANDATORY TESTING BEEN IN EFFECT FOR MEDI-HOTEL STAFF CONSISTENTLY?

All staff at the CBD medi-hotel have been tested for the virus, and are awaiting results.

Prof Spurrier told ABC radio this morning that it is counterintuitive to test people on a “daily or even second day basis”.

“If you start testing on a regular basis, if people develop symptoms in between, we know that they’re less likely to go get tested,” Prof Spurrier said.

But when asked why, Prof Spurrier said “clearly we need to increase that”.

Premier Steven Marshall told ABC Radio this morning he did “query that situation”, but acted on advice at the time.

Mr Marshall also reiterated the situation was “very dangerous” and “concerning”, urging anyone with symptoms to take the day off and get tested.