Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[Must...Fly!]

The problem with this case is that we can never really know where the two intersected and caught the virus. It is surely just as plausible that they contracted the virus before boarding the plane, from using the toilets, or on the bus to hotel quarantine than in the hotel itself?

 

[Pushka]

The problem with this case is that we can never really know where the two intersected and caught the virus. It is surely just as plausible that they contracted the virus before boarding the plane, from using the toilets, or on the bus to hotel quarantine than in the hotel itself?

I'm thinking given proximity of rooms in this case, suggests otherwise. Given they were close by for several days rather than a short exchange on a bus. Too much a coincidence.

 

[33kft]

Possible HQ transmission in WA as well:

Mystery virus spread in Aussie hotels

West Australian health authorities are scrambling to track the possible spread of COVID-19 at a quarantine hotel in Perth, after two new cases thought to be overseas acquired were confirmed as being contracted inside the hotel.

www.news.com.au

 

[Pushka]

Possible HQ transmission in WA as well:

Mystery virus spread in Aussie hotels

West Australian health authorities are scrambling to track the possible spread of COVID-19 at a quarantine hotel in Perth, after two new cases thought to be overseas acquired were confirmed as being contracted inside the hotel.

www.news.com.au

Something has to change. Just takes one angry person who caught it from enforced lockdown.

 

[jakeseven7]

I just don't understand why there isn't more outrage about this. The first few times, maybe they didn't know, but now??? If I went into enforced quarantine and caught COVID there from another guest, I would be infuriated by the incompetence of the whole thing.

I agree, those poor people stuck in this situation.

I would not be paying the NSW government a cent.

Is it an option to defer all of your HQ costs rather than pay up front when you return? If that was the option, If I was coming into Australia, especially NSW at the moment(!), I’d be doing that and waiting until I was 14 days clear until I thought about handing any money over.

 

[jonboixxx]

I agree, those poor people stuck in this situation.

I would not be paying the NSW government a cent.

Is it an option to defer all of your HQ costs rather than pay up front when you return? If that was the option, If I was coming into Australia, especially NSW at the moment(!), I’d be doing that and waiting until I was 14 days clear until I thought about handing any money over.

Howard Springs et al seems more and more viable, now that CBD's want to rejuvenate.

 

[SydneySwan]

I agree, those poor people stuck in this situation.

I would not be paying the NSW government a cent.

Is it an option to defer all of your HQ costs rather than pay up front when you return? If that was the option, If I was coming into Australia, especially NSW at the moment(!), I’d be doing that and waiting until I was 14 days clear until I thought about handing any money over.

Waiting to pay is not an issue as you are not invoiced until after you have left quarantine, around 30 days I think.

 

[Pushka]

Nine new inflections today in SA all from the subcontinent. Something needs to happen and soon.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Nine new inflections today in SA all from the subcontinent. Something needs to happen and soon.

If the systems are up to the task, it shouldn't really matter?

I'm not sure what we can do to be honest?

Does the Australian government mandate certain pathology clinics be used to verify negative status before boarding an aircraft? Perhaps it would cut down significantly on the "fake" certificates, if indeed travelers from India are found to be using these extensively?

 

[drron]

Well at least for those that test positive on arrival but with a certificate pre departure that says they were negative that certificate should be followed up.If it turns out to be fake there should be some penalty.

 

[Lynda2475]

The hotel cases earlier in week is obviously hotel acquired as the families arrived on different flights on different dates, so only commonality was the hotel.

For this latest hotel, it doesn't seem so clear cut. The 3 people who tested positive have been confirmed to have sat in the same section of the plane on the same flight, which means is its highly likely they were seated near each other pre-boarding and would have also likely been on the same bus to the hotel. So multiple points where they could have interacted.

Something needs to happen and soon.

McGowan already calling for a ban on flights form India, but Gladys objected stating we shouldn't single out any one country when there are Aussies needing to get home.

Perhaps introducing rapid test before boarding rather than tests that are 3 days old and can be faked, would be the better first move. Or just assume that 100% of the people arriving from India are positive and take them straight to medi/health hotels rather than the regular HQ.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Well at least for those that test positive on arrival but with a certificate pre departure that says they were negative that certificate should be followed up.If it turns out to be fake there should be some penalty.

Not sure whether that's possible - I'm aware that the Australian government can make laws about certain crimes committed internationally, but I'm not sure it can in respect of lying/providing a fake certificate to an (international) airline - also I'm not sure there is a statement made to the Australian government body.

 

[N860CR]

So with this “influx” of infected people, is anyone actually sick?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

So with this “influx” of infected people, is anyone actually sick?

Well apart from those that flew in with Covid, so far just other travellers in HQ in NSW and WA who caught it from them..

 

[Lynda2475]

The below is from Qantas wrt repatriation flights from the USA, wonder who is running the Indian ones and if the process there differs:

https://www.qantas.com/us/en/travel-info/travel-updates/coronavirus/qantas-international-network-changes/flights-from-los-angeles.html

 

[oz_mark]

McGowan already calling for a ban on flights form India, but Gladys objected stating we shouldn't single out any one country when there are Aussies needing to get home.

Perhaps introducing rapid test before boarding rather than tests that are 3 days old and can be faked, would be the better first move. Or just assume that 100% of the people arriving from India are positive and take them straight to medi/health hotels rather than the regular HQ.

We need more leaders to have plans to move forward and less gatekeepers that shut the gates at any sign of trouble.

 

[Lynda2475]

is anyone actually sick

Obviously testing positive doesn't mean you have symptoms or are unwell.

But in NSW the one person in ICU is a person who returned from India (overseas not hotel acquired) so yes at least one person is seriously ill. There are people currently in ICU in other sates/territories no idea of the source though.

 

[Pushka]

So with this “influx” of infected people, is anyone actually sick?

Yes. We’ve had four in hospital and one in ICU. All young. Two are left now.

 

[N860CR]

Yes. We’ve had four in hospital and one in ICU. All young. Two are left now.

I suspect that’s not overrunning our health care system

 

[drron]

Not sure whether that's possible - I'm aware that the Australian government can make laws about certain crimes committed internationally, but I'm not sure it can in respect of lying/providing a fake certificate to an (international) airline - also I'm not sure there is a statement made to the Australian government body.

My feelings that it could come under reckless conduct laws.

Reckless Conduct Endangering Life

Reckless Conduct Endangering Life is an offence committed by a person who carried out a dangerous conduct that placed others at risk of death.

www.criminal-lawyers.com.au

Especially in those coming from India where covid is rife and they should be aware of the risks.