Two new cases including one from St Peter’s Girls ELC; SA’s virus hotline expanded; 750 Qantas workers from Adelaide Airport put into immediate quarantine
A staff member at St Peter’s Girls early learning centre has been diagnosed with coronavirus – health authorities have asked 14 staff and children to isolate. Meanwhile, the families of two virus victims have paid tribute to RAH health workers.
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SA has recorded two more coronavirus cases, one of whom is a staff member at St Peter’s Girls early learning centre in Stonyfell.
Deputy chief public health officer Dr Mike Cusack said on Monday that ten children and four staff members have been asked to isolate after coming into contact with the new case – who potentially worked for one day while infectious but before showing symptoms.
One of the new cases is aged in their 20s, the other in their 50s.
This story is no longer being updated. Get you latest SA updates HERE.
The state now has 431 cases of COVID-19 – 13 which are now in hospital, six in intensive care and one critical.
Four people have died, but 240 have recovered.
Victims’ families reflect on loss
The families of two Ruby Princess passengers who died after contracting coronavirus urged people to heed restrictions as they paid tribute to the loving grandparents.
Grandmother of four Linda Lavender, 62, last week became the state’s first COVID-19 death linked to the ill-fated cruise ship after losing her five-day fight for life in the Royal Adelaide Hospital’s intensive care unit.
Also on the stricken voyage around New Zealand last month was northeastern suburbs grandfather of four Roger Leaney, 74, of Valley View.
Their families paid separate, emotional tributes to the pair as they all urged South Australians to heed government advice and restrictions while also publicly thanking the RAH’s ICU medical team of “angels”.
You can read their full statement here.
Most compliant with Easter isolation, some fined
The Easter break behaviour of South Australians was praised by police, regional mayors and the Premier as tourist hot spots resembled ghost towns.
SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens described the levels of social-distancing compliance as “exceptional”.
“It has been refreshing to see so many people complying with these obligations,” he said. “We understand and appreciate the strict nature of these obligations. I think it is abundantly clear why we are doing it.”
Only 10 people were fined $1000 and seven cautioned over the long weekend.
More than 630 people crossed the state border over the Easter break – half of which were deemed essential travel and the rest ordered into quarantine.
Premier Steven Marshall said the strong character of South Australians “really came to the fore”.
“South Australians stuck to the plan without needing the heavy-handed enforcement needed in other states,” he said. “This was a pivotal weekend for us. We were very concerned but I could not feel any greater sense of pride in South Australia than I do now.”
His sentiments were shared by the state’s most senior MP in Canberra, Tourism and Trade Minister Simon Birmingham.
“I applaud South Australians for the way we’ve followed the rules over the Easter weekend, and ever since these necessary restrictions were put in place,” he told The Advertiser.
He said people should take pride for their self- discipline in slowing the spread of the virus.
Regional mayors said their streets have never been quieter during the Easter break – and they couldn’t have been happier. Port Lincoln Mayor Brad Flaherty said: “I haven’t seen any tourists at all and normally we’d be busy with grey nomads at this time of year.”
Other mayors from across the state felt the same.
Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin said Commercial St, usually the hub of the town, had not a single car on it on Monday morning.
More staff trained for hotline
SA’s coronavirus hotline will be significantly expanded with training for 850 new call centre staff beginning this week.
The hotline – 1800 253 787 – has received more than 15,000 calls in three weeks as the public clamours for information ranging from symptoms, self isolation rules and travel bans to many simply needing reassurance.
On Easter Sunday, SA recorded no new cases for the first time in a month but our death toll rose to four when a 76-year-old male Ruby Princess passenger died on Sunday. Six people are intensive care.
New analysis shows the number of COVID-19 cases in South Australia could halve in the next 10 days – but a fourth death and 750 Qantas workers from Adelaide Airport being ordered into quarantine have dampened hopes of social distancing regulations easing soon.
In other major developments:
■ The global death toll passed 112,000 and more Australians died from COVID-19 overnight.
■ Comedy legend Tim Brooke-Taylor from The Goodies died in England.
■ Rural doctors warned the strain on medical retrieval teams could cost lives.
■ Data reveals SA’s testing system is among the best in the world.
The call centre has taken 15,783 calls since March 21 including:
Testing criteria – 22.8 per cent
Reassurance – 21.8 per cent
Border information – 16.75 per cent
Symptoms – 16 per cent
Workplace restrictions – 11.25 per cent
Self-Isolation requirements – 7.4 per cent
Travel bans and restrictions – 4 per cent
For the latest official SA Health information phone 1800 253 787 or visit sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVID2019.
Hundreds of Qantas staff sent to immediate quarantine
More than 750 Qantas staff who work in three areas of Adelaide Airport not accessible to the public have been ordered into immediate quarantine.
The Transport Workers Union claims the airline “knowingly exposed other workers to the coronavirus” – while Qantas says at all times it has followed directives from SA Health.
Qantas says it will pay the workers while they are in quarantine, while Australian Services Union state secretary Abbie Spencer called for any hotel and meal costs also to be covered.
“Some of these workers earn other income so we also need to make sure that is recognised,” she said.
Fears the baggage handler cluster of 34 cases could rise prompted the order for people who were in the areas since March 18 to self-isolate.
Qantas has emailed staff and SA Health is getting their mobile phone numbers to text them the advisory. All will be tested for the virus.
Difficulties in checking day-to-day interactions following a positive test of a worker with access to the areas resulted in the decision to isolate all staff.
Chief public health officer Associate Professor Nicola Spurrier said swipe card records would be checked and not all may need to self-isolate for the full 14 days but the blanket order was being done as a precaution.
She reiterated that anyone who has visited the airport recently and falls ill with coronavirus symptoms should self isolate and get tested.
Qantas staff affected include cabin crew, pilots, customer service staff, engineers and baggage handlers.
A Qantas spokesman said all staff will continue to be paid and offered additional assistance as required.
Qantas is not currently flying out of Adelaide and Jetstar’s daily return flight to Melbourne is unaffected.
“Employees who were working in particular areas of Adelaide Airport from 17 March are required to self-isolate for a 14-day period from the last time they were working there,” a Qantas spokesman said.
“It follows confirmation of a positive test for a team member who was last in the workplace nine days ago.”
Originally published as Two new cases including one from St Peter’s Girls ELC; SA’s virus hotline expanded; 750 Qantas workers from Adelaide Airport put into immediate quarantine