A South Australian COVID-19 cluster today grew to 17 cases, with health authorities linking the outbreak to a worrying outbreak in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
Speaking to the ABC Radio Adelaide Monday morning, South Australian Chief Public Health Officer Dr Nicole Spurrier said the number of confirmed cases had risen from four on Sunday.
The first confirmed case in this outbreak is an 80-year-old woman, who tested positive after attending Lyell McEwin Hospital in the city’s north between 5.30pm on Friday and early Sunday morning.
Anyone who attended the hospital’s emergency department during that time has been advised to quarantine and monitor for symptoms.
Since that first positive diagnosis, two of the woman’s close contacts have tested positive, and a fourth case was identified as a worker at Yatala Prison.
Rapid contact tracing has resulted in the closure of several sites across the northern suburbs, including:
- Parafield Plaza supermarket
- Mawson Lakes Primary School and Preschool
- Thomas More College
- Hungry Jack’s Port Adelaide
A community testing site has been established near Parafield Airport.
Parafield COVID-19 mobile testing clinic.
⏰ Open 8am – 6pm, 7 days.
📍 Corner of Lockheed Lane and Butler Ave, Parafield Airport.
✅ Walk-in. No booking or referral needed.
👨👧 All ages.For a full list of testing sites visit https://t.co/daEpRqXyQV pic.twitter.com/uhiDwfqrJ2
— SA Health (@SAHealth) November 15, 2020
The outbreak marks the state’s first confirmed coronavirus cases outside of hotel quarantine since April.
While the precise source of the outbreak has not been determined, Dr Spurrier today said she was “absolutely certain” the outbreak is linked to a coronavirus quarantine hotel where one person worked while infectious.
