Covid hitting SA classrooms as new data shows vaccine divide

Teachers are dropping like flies as Covid surges back into SA’s schools as new figures also reveal how many vaccine-refusers have been sent to the job queue.

Almost 200 Education Department staff including teachers called in sick with Covid last week, and 168 reported testing positive over the past seven days as the virus continues to take a toll on the workforce.

While social distancing is now a thing of the past, the virus remains a health threat.

A department spokesman, noting numbers now are going down, said its Covid policy remains unchanged and Covid-safe measures are reviewed regularly with SA Health advice.

“Our Covid policy has shown to be successful in helping minimise risk and supports the community during spikes in case numbers by reducing transmission,” the spokesman said.

“If a child or a staff member tests positive for Covid-19, they must notify the preschool or school site. They are asked not to attend for five days when positive, or while symptomatic.

“These absences are being managed by sites like any other short term absence.

This includes adjusting timetables to maximise teaching staff, and using temporary staff and relief teachers. “At this time there are no shortages being noted, however the department will continue to monitor the situation.”

The World Health Organisation declared Covid-19 a worldwide pandemic on March 11, 2020 then on May 5, 2023 announced it “no longer constituted a public health emergency of international concern.”

On October 20, 2023, Australia’s chief medical officer declared Covid is no longer a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance.

SA Health reports there were 1418 cases recorded in the past week, down from 1479 cases the previous week, and no Covid-linked deaths – however with the threat receding many people may no longer be testing for mild symptoms or reporting positive home RAT tests.

There have been 965,772 cases reported and 1715 deaths since South Australia’s first case was recorded on February 1, 2020.

A vial of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. Picture: Ringo Chiu/AFP.

Meanwhile, information released to The Advertiser shows while more than 230 SA Health staff have been sacked since October 2021 for refusing the Covid-19 vaccination, only one has been terminated for refusing the similarly mandated dTpa vaccine booster (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis).

SA Health says local health networks are responsible for ensuring staff comply with relevant policies, including vaccination requirements.

“The (vaccination) policy covers the dTpa vaccine and other vaccines to ensure we meet our obligations from an occupational health and safety perspective,” a statement says.

“Since 2020, only one employee out of more than 45,000 SA Health staff has had their role terminated for refusing the dTpa vaccine.”

SA Health is aware of employees who are not compliant with booster requirements for dTpa, and staff are being sent reminders to get these boosters.

“Appropriate disciplinary action may be taken if staff remain non-complaint, which could include suspension or termination of employment,” SA Health says.

Health Minister Chris Picton has ordered a review of the Covid vaccination policy, after interstate jurisdictions dropped the mandatory requirement.