A COVID-19 scare has swept through the Limestone Coast following the detection of a positive case visiting the region.
A COVID positive person, understood to be a truck driver, attended the despatch area of a Mount Gambier timber mill on Friday evening, between 4.45pm and 6.45pm.
The site has not been publicly released as SA Health does not consider it a public exposure site.
In a letter to staff on Monday afternoon, the facility’s manager said the person was not an employee of the mill and was wearing a mask while on-site.
The mill in question has confirmed one worker came into contact with the positive case and another employee “may have been in contact”.
“Both of these employees have subsequently left site, have presented for a COVID test and will remain in isolation until they have received a confirmed negative test,” the manager said.
“The areas the person has been in are in the process of undergoing a deep clean.
“We have been and continue to work with SA Health on this matter.
“Though this is a challenging time, the control measures that we have in place assist in ensuring there is minimal risk to our employees.
“We take this opportunity to remind all employees to continue to be vigilant in protecting their own safety and the safety of others.”
Meanwhile, more than 20,000 COVID vaccinations have been delivered across the region through Limestone Coast Local Health Network.
A total of 10,859 vaccinations have been administered at the Mount Gambier COVID-19 vaccination clinic.
A health network spokesperson has also issued a reminder for members of the community to book only one appointment per individual and attend their scheduled appointment at the nominated time and date.
This follows reports of people making multiple bookings at the same location, resulting in a string of cancellations.
“We know it is important people book their appointment at the earliest opportunity and additional appointments are being added each week to allow more people to book in and get vaccinated,” the spokesperson said.
“If you have already booked an appointment, you can cancel or reschedule your appointment by following the instructions in your original booking confirmation email.
“Appointment availability is dynamic and changes each day with changes to supply and people making bookings, cancelling or rescheduling. Appointments are in high demand and more will be added as more vaccine becomes available.
“We encourage eligible people to regularly check the online booking system for new appointments and book in to receive their vaccine as soon as they can.
Visit www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/covidvaccine to book for a vaccination.
