Dear staff,
I write to advise that after an incredibly successful period of containment of the coronavirus in South Australia, SA Health has advised that a cluster of COVID-19 cases has been detected in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
Four cases were announced yesterday; this has increased to 17 cases today. The source of the outbreak has not yet been confirmed, although Professor Nicola Spurrier, SA's Chief Public Health Officer, has said that a medi-hotel where one of the infected people worked is the likely source.
Locations linked to the outbreak so far are the Lyell McEwen Hospital, Yatala Labour Prison, Parafield Plaza Supermarket, and the Mawson Lakes Primary and Preschool. Other locations are likely to emerge.
SA Health have contacted known close contacts of the cases and given instructions on quarantine requirements. If you are required to quarantine you must follow these instructions.
We are monitoring the situation closely. At this stage there is no impact on our facilities, although some individual students or staff may need to quarantine if they have been at one of the locations connected with the outbreak. Please let your supervisor know if this affects you.
Travel from South Australia has been restricted with immediate effect for people travelling to Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Other states and territories may follow. You are strongly advised to check the state or territory government COVID website if you have travel plans.
If you have upcoming interstate travel already approved, that approval is now rescinded and you must seek new approval from your VP&ED or Head of Portfolio before you can commence interstate travel for work purposes.
This is an extremely timely reminder to all of us of the absolute essential need to maintain safe social distances, practice thorough hand hygiene, and to stay at home if unwell.
Anyone developing COVID-19 like symptoms – even if you have not been in one of the locations linked to the outbreak- should immediately get tested and self-isolate until you know the result of the test.
If you have any of the following symptoms, get tested:
The SA government’s COVID-19 website has all the latest information.
I have also written to our students today to remind them of this important health message and of the supports available to them if they need help.
If you are contacted by a student, please provide support if you can so they can continue with their studies if possible.
If you believe that a student needs counselling support you can refer them to our counselling service: phone (08) 8201 2118 or email counselling@flinders.edu.au
Information on all our support services for students is available on our student website here.
Our Employee Assistant Program is available to all staff. Information on this free and confidential service is available here.
Take care everyone,
Clare
Professor Clare Pollock