Tailem Bend servo listed as possible COVID exposure site

This post is no longer being updated. For the latest on exposure sites, visit www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/covidcontacttracing.

A Tailem Bend service station has again been identified as a possible COVID-19 exposure site.

A COVID-positive truck driver visited the Coles Express between 3.30am and 4am on Friday, October 1.

No other members of the public are believed to have visited the shop during the time period, but SA Health issued an alert on Friday evening just in case.

Anyone who visited the shop between those times would immediately have to quarantine at home for 14 days, get tested immediately, and get tested again on days five and 13.

Other household members would not need to go into quarantine, though they would need to stay in separate rooms, avoid any physical contact and maintain extra hygiene.

The possible exposure came from a Victorian truck driver aged in his 30s who had taken a COVID test on Thursday night.

He received a positive result from that test after passing through Tailem Bend on his way home.

However, chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier said she was not particularly concerned.

“Those times are obviously very early in the morning,” she said.

“That means that there were very few people in at that time.

“My CDC team have been looking at CCTV footage and the like, and QR check-ins, and at this stage it does not look as though we have any members of the public exposed.”

However, she urged everyone living at Tailem Bend to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they could – “you are at quite high risk given that that’s a major truck route”.

Possible exposure sites were listed in the town in July and August, but no locals contracted the virus as a result.

State Health Minister Stephen Wade said the coronavirus’ delta strain posed a real threat to South Australia.

“COVID is coming to South Australia, and we are preparing for that inevitability,” he said.

“We will be ready, but we are relying on all South Australians to be vaccinated.

“This is a timely reminder that those of us who aren’t vaccinated face a higher risk.”

Operation COVID Shield statistics show 47.6 per cent of Coorong district residents aged 15 and over were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by September 26.

Murray Bridge residents lagged a little behind at 39.7%.

Almost two thirds of Coorong residents and 57% of people in Murray Bridge had had at least one of the two required vaccine doses.

Three COVID vaccines are now available in SA, after the Moderna vaccine was approved for distribution through pharmacies on September 23.

Four pharmacies in Murray Bridge and one at Tailem Bend are taking Moderna appointments.

• More information about exposure sites: www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/covidcontacttracing.
• Get a COVID test: Visit the testing clinic next door to the Caltex roadhouse at Tailem Bend at any time; or book an appointment at the Murray Bridge Respiratory Clinic via www.hotdoc.com.au.
• Make a vaccination appointment: Visit www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/covidvaccine.

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