How to have a merry Christmas amid South Australia’s rising Covid cases

Missing Christmas isn’t fun for anyone – ask Haeleah Jones who will be stuck in isolation. See why experts say the trick to having a Covid-safe festive period this year is simple.

When Haeleah Jones saw the double lines of doom on her Covid RAT on Wednesday, she realised Christmas was going to look a little different this year.

The 22-year-old from Moana was tipped off to the virus when she started feeling body aches and pains on Tuesday.

“I didn’t have much of an appetite, but the body aches and pains helped me realise I might have Covid,” she said.

“I looked at the symptom list and I had nearly all of them.”

It’s the first time Ms Jones has tested positive to the virus, and can’t believe it has coincided with Christmas time.

The festive period comes as SA recorded 10,474 new cases in the week ending December 23 – 280 cases fewer than the week prior – and 24 deaths.

Haeleah Jones from Moana will be in isolation for Christmas after testing positive to Covid. Picture: Ben Clark

Ms Jones and her family were set to host Christmas Day and Boxing Day celebrations with more than a dozen people – now there are not as many seats needed at the table.

“We’re still trying to figure it out, but my Gran won’t be able to have Christmas with us,” she said.

“I’ll need to wear a mask and socially distance from my parents.”

Ms Jones explained she also missed celebrations with friends.

“We had Secret Santa planned, but they FaceTimed me instead,” she said.

When thinking back to where she might have caught the highly-contagious virus, Ms Jones could pinpoint two culprits.

She recently completed a Bachelor of Arts from Flinders University and celebrated with friends on a cruise to Queensland and a music festival in McLaren Vale.

“It makes sense,” she laughed.

Luckily, Christmas preparations at the Jones household won’t go to waste.

“We eat a lot and we’ll eat the leftovers for lunch,” she said.

“My brother will probably take a doggy bag to my Gran’s house, so she isn’t alone.”

How to have a merry Christmas amid rising Covid cases

As we approach the peak in Covid-19 cases, experts are saying the trick to having a Covid safe Christmas this year is simple.

UniSA biostatistics and epidemiology Professor Adrian Esterman said while the main thing is for everyone to enjoy themselves, if you’re feeling unwell – don’t go to Christmas functions.

As for greetings, Professor Esterman said it’s for the best not to kiss someone if you believe you’re infectious.

“Let’s not be a Grinch, give someone a hug, but just don’t breathe on them,” he said.

“It’s very simple, you could be infectious and you could be infecting everyone else.”

Professor Adrian Esterman. Picture: UniSA

Professor Esterman also recommended hosting events outdoors, and if your events have to be indoors, keep windows and doors open to allow ventilation.

“People are going to meet and have Christmas functions no matter what, so what you want to do is simply minimise the risk and doing it in an easy way so that it’s not a massive hassle,

“Get some fresh air through the place, because that sort of blows away any virus particles that might be floating around.”

Professor Esterman said not to worry about touching contaminated surfaces, as very few people get infected by touching them.

“If you’re indoors with family and friends and you’re eating and drinking, then just try to keep your distance between yourself and others if you can.

“We’re right in the middle of the peak at the moment, there’s massive amounts of Covid out there … the onus is on each individual to look at their risk and make their own decisions about if they want to protect themselves, but more importantly protect others.”

If you have elderly family members or know someone with chronic conditions, Professor Esterman said you might want to think there is a possibility you could infect them.

“There’s going to be a lot of transmission during this Christmas period, people don’t have to act like the Grinch and not do anything. But what you really need to do is simply minimise the chance of infecting vulnerable people because they’re the ones that can get very sick.”