Australian (Open) Tennis and COVID-19

[Pushka]

So while I do understand this shedding business because of what has happened in SA, my next question is why these shedding players didn't test positive pre-flight? I think the "shedding" is also now becoming a little too prevalent as an explanation.

 

[jakeseven7]

So while I do understand this shedding business because of what has happened in SA, my next question is why these shedding players didn't test positive pre-flight? I think the "shedding" is also now becoming a little too prevalent as an explanation.

I recall a historic case in NSW last year where the person had been infected, recovered but kept returning positive test results, then negative then positive and on and on. Was written off as shedding.

As more and more people who were infected recover the more and more of these events we will see as well.

 

[dajop]

As more and more people who were infected recover the more and more of these events we will see as well.

Yes there would surely be more than a handful of such people who had recovered during Victoria’s second wave, who conceivably could have been shedding. If shedding still created infections I’m sure there wouldn’t have been >2 months of no local transmission within Vic.

 

[jakeseven7]

Yes there would surely be more than a handful of such people who had recovered during Victoria’s second wave, who conceivably could have been shedding. If shedding still created infections I’m sure there wouldn’t have been >2 months of no local transmission within Vic.

And imagine countries like the UK, US..... anyway off topic now. But we are going to see more of this thats for sure.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

So while I do understand this shedding business because of what has happened in SA, my next question is why these shedding players didn't test positive pre-flight? I think the "shedding" is also now becoming a little too prevalent as an explanation.

I would also note that the AO group are being tested daily. In the past those in quarantine would have just the one (well early on no testing unless symptomatic, just quarantine) or two tests.

So with this cohort if they have a day of random shedding it will get picked up, whereas in the past there was a large chance it would not be.

I know in Vic there were a number of shedding cases reported where people would have negative tests, and then a positive., and then negative again quickly. Some of the reported commentary about such cases was that some dead Covid 19 may have been dislodges randomly..




You may also remember the Essendon player Connor McKenna who returned from Ireland, had repeated negative tests before a low grade positive test, then another positive, then repeated negative tests. Being a player he had to test twice per week. No local link was found.

False positive? Bizarre twist in Conor's COVID test

After initially testing positive to coronavirus, Conor McKenna's latest sample has come back negative

www.afl.com.au

In Australia too, there are numerous examples of viral shedding showing up in wastewater testing, but where no one tested positive, pointing towards recovered people viral shedding in those areas.




I suspect one learning from this is that for future major events that they will decide to test everyone with both a PCR and an antibody test in advance of travel.

 

[Lynda2475]

And now the people living in buildings next to AO HQ are complaining about poor disposal of used masks putting them at risk:

Neville says discarded PPE near Australian Open hotel did not come from quarantine agency

The Victorian Government refutes the suggestion that discarded face masks found by residents near an Australian Open quarantine hotel may have come from its COVID-19 quarantine agency.

www.abc.net.au

 

[lovetravellingoz]

3 new AO cases reported in Vic . So 10 in total now.

Two reported to be players by the Health Minister.

 

[Pushka]

3 AO cases reported in Vic . So 10 in total now.

One reported to be a player by the Health Minister.

Meh, shedding again

So, like on the other thread where someone in NT quarantine having arrived from OS but is now deemed a local transmission because, well, that suits the story, I wonder if anyone will dare start to make the same noise that Covid is spreading amongst the players, in Australia, because really the circumstances are exactly the same.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Meh, shedding again

So, like on the other thread where someone in NT quarantine having arrived from OS but is now deemed a local transmission because, well, that suits the story, I wonder if anyone will dare start to make the same noise that Covid is spreading amongst the players, in Australia, because really the circumstances are exactly the same.

I am not sure what you mean by noise?

Genomic testing will be done whenever a live virus can be grown from a swab sample as it is is on all new cases whether they are in HQ or the community and so that may well later link to other cases if there is any spread. You may well recall how in Vic's Second Wave that they were able to gnomically link the 4 strains back to the 4 groups of people from overseas in GW. Most cases coming from a family of four. Only 2 of the 4 strains has significant cases, and most cases were from the one strain/breach.

However viral shedding cases may not be able to grow a live virus to enable genomic sequencing.


It is important that all positive results be gnomically sequenced if possible.

Note too at the AO that some people travelled together and so are in quarantine together. So transmission on the planes or in shared rooms would not be surprising if it does or had occurred. It occurs with others on planes and HQ and so no reason reason why AO cohort may not have it occur as well.

 

[jakeseven7]

Meh, shedding again

So, like on the other thread where someone in NT quarantine having arrived from OS but is now deemed a local transmission because, well, that suits the story, I wonder if anyone will dare start to make the same noise that Covid is spreading amongst the players, in Australia, because really the circumstances are exactly the same.

Could well be transmission on the plane, HQ, or shedding from previous, or erroneous test on departure, any of the above. There were lots of questions about the source, why would anyone need to dare? Confused.

 

[Lynda2475]

Its entirely possible this early in the 14 day HQ period that Covid could be spreading as yet undetected amongst AO cohort.

They havent yet verified all AO cases are shedding.

And if reports of uber eats drivers coming and going unmasked and the unsafe disposal of masks from the AO HQ are true, then entirely lwithin the realms of possibilty to get into the community.

The health workers doing the tests at AO HQ are from the same company who managed St Basils one of the nursing homes with the highest death rates and worst infection control during the 2nd wave - so that doesnt bode well.

 

[Pushka]

why would anyone need to dare? Confused.

If someone, the Media? wanted to create mischief or someone for political gain, then a statement or query as to whether the virus is now being caught in Australia amongst the cohort then that could be very damaging.

Post automatically merged: Jan 20, 2021

I am not sure what you mean by noise?

Genomic testing will be done whenever a live virus can be grown from a swab sample as it is is on all new cases whether they are in HQ or the community and so that may well later link to other cases if there is any spread. You may well recall how in Vic's Second Wave that they were able to gnomically link the 4 strains back to the 4 groups of people from overseas in GW. Most cases coming from a family of four. Only 2 of the 4 strains has significant cases, and most cases were from the one strain/breach.

However viral shedding cases may not be able to grow a live virus to enable genomic sequencing.


It is important that all positive results be gnomically sequenced if possible.

Note too at the AO that some people travelled together and so are in quarantine together. So transmission on the planes or in shared rooms would not be surprising if it does or had occurred. It occurs with others on planes and HQ and so no reason reason why AO cohort may not have it occur as well.

Then why is the NT case not being treated in the same language as this?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

3 new AO cases reported in Vic . So 10 in total now.

Two reported to be players by the Health Minister.

View attachment 238522

A little extra detail from the ABC:

Of the three new positive COVID-19 cases in Victoria​

Lisa Neville explained:

• One is a player that they believe is shedding the virus
• Another player and a support person have also tested positive

These are her quotes about this:

• "Of one, we are very confident is a shedder, which is a player. Again, it will be double-checked by DHHS."
• "Of the other two, it's less clear that they're shedding, that will be worked through, and that's one player and one support person."

 

[Lynda2475]

query as to whether the virus is now being caught in Australia amongst the cohort then that could be very damaging

An entirely valid question to ask. If reporters arent allowed to ask the question that is censorship - we have freedom of press here.

AO is already damaged inetrnationally by the players themselves whinging via their twitter feeds and some continuing to deny they were told about the rules.

 

[dajop]

And if reports of uber eats drivers coming and going unmasked and the unsafe disposal of masks from the AO HQ are true, then entirely lwithin the realms of possibilty to get into the community.

There is a protocol that delivery drivers must follow, that is mentioned in the ABC article, they deliver to a specific point (unless they are former staff of the hotel and know how to find the back door, like in Canberra ), and food is delivered to quarantine facility staff, who in turn check the delivery (for excessive alcohol) and deliver to the rooms. This sounds like the same protocol we experienced in Sydney. The drivers are not allowed into the hallways.

I know there is intense scrutiny on the AO, as it's a media field day, but as mentioned they represent equivalent of just one week's worth of the Victorian intake. This happens every week with every intake. The number of positivies we're seeing are not inconsistent with regular traveller intake.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

If someone, the Media? wanted to create mischief or someone for political gain, then a statement or query as to whether the virus is now being caught in Australia amongst the cohort then that could be very damaging.

Post automatically merged: Jan 20, 2021

Then why is the NT case not being treated in the same language as this?

Cannot answer that.

However I was speaking on genomic testing protocol in Vic.

The NT being a lot smaller in population and resources may do things differently. They could also have extra delays as they may not be able to sequence locally.

 

[Lynda2475]

as mentioned they represent just one week of the Victorian intake. This happens every week with every intake.

The difference being that on a usual week we are talking about returning Aussies who have a right to come home, not spoilt tennis brats who dont need to be here and are allowed to leave HQ 5 hours a day unlike regular arrivals.

 

[dajop]

The difference being that on a usual week we are talking about returning Aussies who have a right to come home, not spoilt tennis brats who dont need to be here and are allowed to leave HQ 5 hours a day unlike regular arrivals.

I agree with the later, but they're here now. So let's not let the media circus/media drama get in the way of the facts. Also those in a cohort that has someone that has tested positive (i.e. on same plane) are not allowed to leave HQ, which is really what all the fuss is about from some of the primadonnas.

 

[zenyattamondatta]

An entirely valid question to ask. If reporters arent allowed to ask the question that is censorship - we have freedom of press here.

Yeah, without the media we might delude ourselves that COVID-19 is well and truly under control throughout our nation, the healthcare system is under no strain whatsoever, and the mortality rate is vanishingly low. Lucky we have a free press.

 

[jakeseven7]

An entirely valid question to ask. If reporters arent allowed to ask the question that is censorship - we have freedom of press here.

AO is already damaged inetrnationally by the players themselves whinging via their twitter feeds and some continuing to deny they were told about the rules.

It was asked though as we don't have censorship.... per the other responses it is being investigated with some hypotheticals already aired.

I doubt anyone cares about whiny tennis players and their spouses crying about the avocado on their toast not being the right way up so hardly think the AO is damaged in anyway (yet and fingers crossed it isn't).