South Australia records three community-transmitted coronavirus cases while Victoria notches another donut day

Three new cases of locally acquired COVID-19 have been diagnosed in South Australia after a worker from a quarantine hotel infected family members, with more showing symptoms.

Professor Nicola Spurrier in July 2020.

Professor Nicola Spurrier says a worker from a quarantine hotel in South Australia has infected family members. Source: AAP

South Australia has three new cases of locally acquired COVID-19 after a worker from a quarantine hotel infected family members.

An 80-year-old woman was diagnosed on Saturday after she went to a hospital for a test, Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier told reporters.

A woman in her 50s and man in his 60s were later tested and on Sunday also found to be infected.

"One of those people works in our medi-hotels," Prof Spurrier said.

"This is where we are considering the source to be."
Prof Spurrier said the infected trio has a very large family and four relatives are showing COVID-19 symptoms with test results expected later in the day.

The older woman lives independently not in an aged care facility and is now in isolation at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

She is the mother of one of the younger pair, who are in a relationship.

Contact tracing is also under way for about 90 staff and patients at the Lyell McEwin Hospital who may have come into contact with the 80-year-old woman.
A view of Adelaide's central business district.
Three cases of locally-acquired COVID-19 in South Australia has been described as a "wake-up call". Source: AAP
Prof Spurrier said the woman also visited Parafield Plaza Supermarket in Adelaide's north while infectious

She urged any person who develops symptoms to immediately report for testing.

"I am expecting that we will have more cases. This is a wake-up call," Prof Spurrier said.

All staff working at SA's quarantine hotels will now be required to undertake virus testing every seven days.

"It's obvious that this is the highest risk in Australia right now is this risk of importation (of the virus) in our quarantine hotels," Prof Spurrier said.
The new rule includes police, nurses, concierge, cleaners and security guards.

A 30-year-old man in hotel quarantine who recently returned from overseas was also diagnosed with the virus on Sunday.

There are now 19 active COVID-19 cases in SA.

Victoria notches another coronavirus-free day

Victoria recorded another day without fresh diagnoses on Sunday while there are three active cases of COVID-19 in the state.

The statistics mean Victoria has gone 16 days without a new case of COVID-19, but the government is still urging caution.

Deputy Chief Health Officer Allan Cheng described the stretch of zero-case days as "about as good as it can get".

"What we're still concerned about ... is that there may still be the potential for hidden trains of transmission out there; obviously that chance is decreasing as time goes on," he said on Saturday.

"And then obviously the potential for an incursion of cases from outside, from New Zealand or NSW."

A testing push has begun in Hume and Wyndham - local government areas hardest hit during the state's second wave.

"We just want to make sure that there's nothing we're missing there," he said. "This is not over."

COVID-19 in Sydney sewage

In NSW, nine overseas travellers in hotel quarantine have been diagnosed with COVID-19 as authorities detect more virus traces in sewage.

There are 72 active coronavirus cases across the state with health officials warning the public to remain vigilant.

"With the weather becoming warmer and people starting to attend more social gatherings, NSW Health is calling on the community to maintain the COVID-safe behaviours," a spokesman said on Sunday.

"Although there have been no locally acquired cases in NSW in recent days, now is not the time to drop our guard."
Members of the public are reminded to keep practising physical distancing and good hand hygiene, and get tested and isolate if they feel unwell.

No locally acquired cases were diagnosed in NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm Saturday.
Authorities are urging testing for symptomatic people in parts of west and northwest Sydney after traces of coronavirus were found in sewerage systems.

"The catchment takes sewage from approximately 180,000 people," NSW Health said of one network.

The traces were found in samples taken on Thursday from a waste water network which services parts of suburbs including Leppington, Catherine Field, West Hoxton, Hoxton Park, Edmondson Park, Prestons and Miller.

Traces were also found in a separate sewerage system, servicing 120,000 people in an area covering Quakers Hill, Bella Vista, Kellyville and Baulkham Hills.

"While detection of the virus in sewage samples could reflect the presence of older cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in these areas, NSW Health is concerned there could be other active cases," a statement read.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction's restrictions on gathering limits.

If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at

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5 min read
Published 15 November 2020 5:10pm
Updated 15 November 2020 8:54pm
Source: AAP, SBS


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