Alarm over NT outbreak ahead of SA borders reopening as plan for 50,000 to quarantine revealed

SA’s border with the NT could be tightened after a Covid outbreak. It follows news that up to 50,000 people might be sent into home quarantine once SA’s borders open.

Authorities have warned SA borders may have to tighten after a Covid outbreak in the NT.

Katherine recorded nine new cases on Tuesday, sparking a lockdown for the region.

SA Police announced on Tuesday evening they were reviewing the border arrangements with the NT in response to the “emerging Covid-19 situation” with the potential for further travel restrictions to be imposed.

“South Australians travelling through the Northern Territory are encouraged to limit their activities to transiting through Katherine and the surrounding areas,” a police spokesperson said.

On Wednesday morning, Police commissioner Grant Stevens said meetings around the recent NT outbreak would continue throughout the day but maintained the plan to open the state on November 23 remained in place.

“We will meet again this morning to discuss what requirements need to be put into place into certain parts of the territory,” he said.

SA Health Minister Stephen Wade, flanked by Professor Nicola Spurrier and Premier Steven Marshall. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

“We have done exceptionally well in preventing a Covid outbreak in the last six weeks however, it’s not something we can conceivably sustain going forward and the Northern Territory are a good example of that.

“They are dealing with community transmission now in a closed border environment, it’s better we open our borders and safely manage Covid coming in still.”

Chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier told Adelaide radio on Wednesday morning the NT situation was “very concerning”.

SA Health believes there is a potential for more than 3000 positive cases once the borders reopen but Mr Stevens said the number would depend on the community’s diligence with maintaining QR check-ins and monitoring symptoms.

It comes as the state government’s revealed more of its strategy to deal with virus cases when borders open next week.

Home quarantine for up to 50,000 people, treating sick people in medi-hotels, and opening new Covid care centres as an alternative to emergency departments form a key part of plan.

The government’s Covid-19 Health System Response Strategy details how it will manage a surge in new cases without overwhelming the health system.

About 85 per cent of people who test positive to coronavirus are expected to remain in their homes when borders reopen and cases increase.

“Overall home quarantine capacity will be required for up to 50,000 people, which includes up to 3000 people who have tested positive to Covid-19, in addition to their families and close contacts,” the document states.

“Keeping families together wherever possible is recognised as a critical component of meeting disease management and care needs.”

Teams of nurses, GPs and hospital-based medical specialists will co-ordinate the assessment and care for people who have tested positive and are quarantining at home.

New Covid care centres for rapid assessment and treatment of people with mild to moderate symptoms will be established in metropolitan and regional areas “and activated as demand increases during this reopening phase”.

These will provide treatment including IV fluids, antibodies and chest X-rays. Patients will be transferred to hospital if their condition deteriorates quickly.

A residential aged-care model will decide if residents who test positive can be cared for “in-place or transferred to hospital, based on agreed risk-rated criteria”.

About 10 per cent of all new cases are anticipated to need a higher level of care, but not full acute hospital services.

They will be offered “hospital in the hotel” care, based on the Tom’s Court medi-hotel model for overseas arrivals who test positive, with 24/7 nursing and GP visits.

That represents an increase in capacity to 380 rooms within the medi-hotel system.

“Supervised regional care facilities will be established in some communities, with the ability to activate the sites on demand with a short lead-in period,” the strategy says.

An estimated 5 per cent of cases will need full hospital care.

The strategy says moves are underway to create extra capacity with an increase of 392 beds – 140 in public hospitals, 73 private hospital beds and 179 community beds.

Health and Wellbeing Minister Stephen Wade said: “South Australians can rest assured our healthcare system is prepared for the increase in Covid-19 cases in our community when we open the borders.”

Originally published as Alarm over NT outbreak ahead of SA borders reopening as plan for 50,000 to quarantine revealed