Image: Mick Tsikas AAP Image.
A new COVID scare for South Australians has emerged after it has been revealed two NSW furniture removals workers, who visited a number of addresses in both South Australia and Victoria, has since tested positive for COVID-19.
This comes just as South Australia has been awarded top of the class for its handling of the pandemic so far, and has been the only mainland state not to enter a lockdown this year.
Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley confirmed the first male worker tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday evening, after driving into South Australia from Victoria on July 9, returning to NSW the next day.
The second removalist involved with the relocation of a family from NSW to SA’s McLaren Vale region has now also tested positive, confirmed in an update this afternoon, with the positive result confirmed by Victoria’s COVID-19 commander Jeroen Weimar.
It was also confirmed today in a press conference by SA health that none of the three removals workers were wearing masks during the process, where they spent five hours unloading furniture in the new McLaren Vale location.
The third driver and relocated family have all since returned negative tests but remain in fourteen day quarantines at home.
In Victoria, certain areas of NSW had previously been dubbed ‘orange zones’ where travel was still permitted between the states, however the Acting Chief Health Officer for VIC announced that all of NSW and the ACT will now be considered a red zone, effective 11:59pm last night.
Today marks the 12th day of no new locally acquired cases in Victoria, with NSW continuing to struggle with the outbreak of the Delta strain.
People experiencing any of the following symptoms should be tested for COVID-19:
• Fever or chills (in the absence of an alternative illness that explains these symptoms)
• An acute respiratory infection e.g. symptoms of cough, sore throat, runny nose, or shortness of breath
• Loss of smell or alteration in the sense of taste
Call the SA COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787, or go to www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVID2019; www.covid-19.SA.gov.au for more information.
