South Australia records zero new cases after suspected community transmission ruled 'false positive'

Today South Australia recorded zero new cases of COVID-19 for the first time in a week, as the state’s overall COVID-19 case count is downgraded to 456 after one of two new cases announced yesterday was crossed out. The woman in her 20s, who initially returned a positive test result and had no links to other known clusters in the state, was later cleared of the virus upon further testing.

Yesterday, Somerton Park co-working space and music venue Summertown Studio announced it would temporarily close its doors to allow for contact tracing, staff testing and deep cleaning after the woman in question attended a Functional Movement Training class last Thursday.

However, by this morning Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier was telling ABC Adelaide that further testing by SA Pathology had confirmed the case was a “false alarm”, allaying immediate concerns that the woman may have contracted the virus from an identified source in the community.

Summertown Studio co-owner Sharni Honor told The Adelaide Review that the news came as a relief – as much for their patrons as the business itself. “I guess our main line of thinking is that our entire business is our community, and we have a duty to protect them and keep them safe,” Honor said.

Health alerts remain

However, health alerts remain in place for three locations in Adelaide’s north. SA Health advises anyone who attended Fernwood Fitness in Salisbury Downs from 8.30-9.30pm on 1 August, Agha Juice House in Blair Athol from 5-7.30pm on 21 July, and Najafi Carpet Gallery from 5-8pm on 29 July to immediately self-isolate and seek testing (even without displaying any symptoms).

There is also another alert in place for anyone who attended the School of Languages at the Roma Mitchell Secondary Collage at Gepps Cross on the evening of 28 July, Thebarton Senior College in Torrensville from 30 – 31 July and the Walker Arms Hotel, Walkerville from 27 – 29 July to monitor for symptoms, and immediately self-isolate and seek testing should any present themselves.

Additionally, the Victoria Park/Pakapakanthia racecourse has been repurposed to serve as a ‘drive-through’ testing location that can be accessed without bookings or GP referrals, accessible via Wakefield Road. South Australian residents are advised to seek testing if they experience any symptoms linked to COVID-19.

As of Wednesday 5 August there have been a total of 456 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in South Australia, with eight active cases in the state and 258,000 tests undertaken. Readers are advised to consult SA Health’s website for the latest information.

Walter Marsh

Digital Editor

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Walter is a writer and editor living on Kaurna Country.