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South Australia’s COVID-19 cluster balloons to 17 cases, as multiple borders close

Economy
16 November 2020 13:00 (AEST)

Source: ABC News

South Australia’s COVID-19 outbreak has gone from bad to worse, ballooning from four confirmed cases of the virus to 17 new cases in just 24 hours.

All of the new infections, bar two, are from the same Adelaide family — including one member who works at one of the state’s hotel quarantine locations.

Over 100 people have been ordered to self isolate, while a school has also been closed as one of the students came into contact with a confirmed case.

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said every precaution is being taken to ensure this cluster doesn’t get out of control.

“We will do whatever it takes to get on top of this cluster. It is a very dangerous situation that we’re in here in SA at the moment,” he told Nine Radio.

“It is going to require the cooperation of every single citizen of us to get on top of this. Time is of the essence. Anybody who has got symptoms — don’t put off going and getting yourself tested,” the Premier urged.

“If you have got a sore throat or a runny nose, a cough, a loss of smell or you’ve got a change in your sense of taste go and get yourself tested today,” he added.

The new cases over the weekend mark the first time in seven months the state has recorded cases of locally acquired COVID-19. It also comes just one day after WA opened its border to South Australia after being shut for eight months.

The WA Government has already closed its border again, declaring anyone who arrived into Perth from Adelaide will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Tasmania, the Northern Territory and Queensland have all followed suit, asking all South Australian travellers to undertake a two-week quarantine until the outbreak is back under control.

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