Slight cough reason Ryan family stayed home after Tanami mine infection, saved SA from lockdown

The family that saved SA from being potentially plunged into a lockdown last month revealed what kept them inside after an initial negative Covid-19 test.

The South Australian family infected with Covid-19 as a result of an outbreak at an NT mine has revealed their daughter’s cough was the reason they remained away from the community.

Miner Adam Ryan contracted the virus while at the Tanami gold mine in the Northern Territory but did not test positive until days after returning to SA on June 25.

His wife Kristen and their four young children, all under the age of 10, were also infected with the virus.

Mr Ryan’s family were not obligated to isolate before testing positive, but Premier Steven Marshall has lauded the family for staying indoors, keeping the state from going into lockdown.

The family have spent the past 14 days quarantining in Tom’s Court Hotel, the state’s dedicated Covid-19 positive facility, in three interconnected rooms.

While there, their pregnant pet dog called Madeline was in the care of the RSPCA.

The Ryan Family were free to leave hotel quarantine on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

While the Ryan’s were in isolation, their pregnant pet dog was cared for by the RSPCA. Picture: Supplied

Mr Ryan previously said he didn’t know about the possible Covid-19 exposure at the Tanami site when he returned home, but decided to get tested after speaking to colleagues the following day.

Upon the family’s release from quarantine on Thursday, he reflected on the severity of the Delta strain and said he felt scared because he didn't know when he was in contact with another infected person at the mine.

“It goes to show how surreal or scary it can be and that it can spread so quickly. I’m not aware of the person who had it on site,” Mr Ryan said.

“I’m lucky that I’m somewhat healthy and I’m glad I was able to come through without too bad of symptoms although I was very sick.”

Kristen and Adam Ryan said they were “overwhelmed” by the public support. Picture: Supplied

The family underwent quarantine at SA’s dedicated Covid-19 positive facility at Tom's Court Hotel. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

Standing outside of Tom’s Court, Mrs Ryan said the family decided to stay home before her husband returned because her daughter had a slight cough.

Her husband said the rainy weather at the time also kept them in doors, even though he was permitted to leave the home under the restrictions at the time.

“It was tempting to go out. I had a lot of things planned for the week.

“Realistically we weren’t too sure (if restrictions changed) so we decided to stay home and wait for an official answer and it just so happened I needed to isolate, then two days later became positive.”

The couple said they were “overwhelmed” by the community support, being praised for remaining in isolation after Mr Ryan’s initial negative result.

The mother-of-four said it was an “unexpected” and “appreciated” response because the family had initial concerns about people’s reactions and questioned if they wanted others to know.

“As soon as we realised people were being really nice about it that weight (on our shoulders) dropped and we could focus on staying healthy and making sure the kids were okay.”

Mr and Mrs Ryan said they were looking forward to going home now that they were free to leave isolation. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Mr Ryan said SA Health and SA Police had supported his family throughout the process of their diagnosis and quarantine.

But, he suggested the hotel rooms should have vacuum cleaners inside so people could clean up after themselves as there wasn’t much room to properly eat meals.

Mr and Mrs Ryan said they were happy to be out and were looking forward to seeing their dog, going home and “living a normal life”.

“In the gaps when the baby was sleeping we had Nintendos and Netflix to try and keep sane. We’re happy to be out of here, that’s for sure,” the miner said.

Noah Ryan said he had a “pretty good” time while in hotel quarantine. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

The daughter of Adam and Kristen Ryan waved to reporters from the bus as they left Tom’s Court Hotel. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Their son Noah said he had a “pretty good” time in quarantine, where he managed to finish reading six books.

Now that he was out he said he was most excited to see the dog because he missed her “a lot”.

“(There was) a bit of fighting but mostly we played,” Noah said of his siblings.

Mrs Ryan agreed with her son’s statement, saying the children got along “for the most part”.

Her husband is due to return to work next week and the children will go back to school.