Another new COVID case in SA, as mutant strain prompts race for dedicated coronavirus hospital

A dedicated health facility to hold returning travellers will be announced soon as the state grapples with the arrival of a mutant COVID strain.

A new dedicated quarantine facility for overseas arrivals who test positive to COVID-19 is set to be announced as health authorities deal with the super-infectious mutant strain of coronavirus which has arrived in South Australia carried by a young woman.

The strain is believed to be 70 per cent more infectious than earlier strains and sent Britain into severe restrictions as cases soared after it emerged in South East England in September.

Genomic test results on Sunday found a traveller who tested positive after returning from the United Kingdom has the mutant strain.

The woman aged in the her 20s spent a week in a secure area of the Pullman Hotel in quarantine after arrival on December 18 before being transferred to the Royal Adelaide Hospital on Christmas Day for treatment where she remains in a stable condition.

Premier Steven Marshall announced plans for the dedicated facility on November 25 as part of an eight point plan to tighten coronavirus precautions.

The government initially indicated the former Wakefield Hospital was a likely site but this was subsequently ruled out.

International passengers arrive at the Pullman Hotel in Adelaide for isolation. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

Acting Health and Wellbeing Minister Rob Lucas told The Advertiser an announcement on the new facility will “be made shortly.”

He noted the government has established an interim facility at two floors at the Pullman Hotel.

“The facility is being staffed by SAPOL and SA Health,” he said.

“The ongoing solution is still being confirmed. Our public health team have very high standards – and while you can never say there is zero risk, these standards are currently being met by the two dedicated floors at the Pullman.

“However, we are committed to establishing a longer-term stand-alone dedicated facility which will also meet these standards, but we will not risk public safety by making a hasty decision until we are absolutely confident the new facility passes all our checks.”

These checks include suitable airconditioning systems to prevent the airborne spread of the virus.

SA Health says there is no evidence the variant of the virus causes more severe disease.

Another overseas arrival today tested positive although it is too early to say if the man in his 30s had the new strain.

He has been in a medi-hotel since arrival and tests show it is an old infection however it will be added to the state’s tally which now is 572, with five active cases all acquired overseas, four deaths and 563 people recovered.

Opposition health spokesman Chris Picton says the woman’s case shows the need for a dedicated health facility.

“This case highlights the importance of a dedicated health facility that the government promised they were going to put in place,” Mr Picton said.

“At the time they said it was so urgent it would be in place before resuming international arrivals, unfortunately we don’t have such a facility and we are seeing the risk of this particular strain coming in from the UK.

“It is well over a month since they announced it but there has been no progress on even selecting a site.

“We haven’t heard what sites are being looked at and if we are going to take international arrivals we need to make sure every precaution is in place including a dedicated facility.”

Originally published as Another new COVID case in SA, as mutant strain prompts race for dedicated coronavirus hospital