Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[lovetravellingoz]

In the second ring method casual contacts (ie just visiting the same location) at exposure sites are deemed within the second ring. Their close contacts are not within the second ring. Often this group of casual contacts will often just be be required to quarantine until they receive a negative test. Transmission to casual contacts has been rare.

If a contact is deemed to have had more than possible brief casual contact then they then become close contacts. (first ring) ie They may have been sitting at nearby table, or have been a customer of a person serving etc, rather than just having walked through the same building at the same time. Close contacts will then need their close contacts to also be quarantined. Transmission to such contacts has been reasonably common.

It is only close contacts of close contacts that also have to quarantine along with the close contacts. Not close contacts of casual contacts.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Queensland’s new approach to COVID outbreaks to avoid border shutdowns

Queensland has unveiled a new regime to manage interstate outbreaks, in a step back from the total border shutdowns that devastated businesses and led to travel chaos.

www.smh.com.au

The new Interstate Exposure Venues Direction requires anyone who has been to a declared COVID-19 exposure site to immediately go into 14 days of quarantine “in government-arranged accommodation”.

Rather than declaring entire cities or states as hotspots, the new direction targets specific venues, such as shopping centres and stores.

So basically copying the NSW approach but with the iso being n HQ instead of at home.

Haven't had a laugh yet this morning - thanks.

Bizarre policy on face value.

 

[Lynda2475]

Lots of new sites added to the WA exposure list - apparently the two housemates of the Perth security guard who also tested positive were food delivery drivers.

From ABC Blog:

WA Premier Mark McGowan said there were 58 close contacts of case 1001 — that's the security guard from the quarantine hotel.

26 of them tested negative.

They're all in quarantine and will be there for the next 14 days.

There are 217 casual contacts, with 43 of those testing negative so far.

Mr McGowan said a separate list of exposure sites were being added to the state's COVID site.

He said most of those were where the two delivery drivers — the ones who caught the virus from their hotel guard housemate — picked up or dropped off food.

"The 100 people to whom food was delivered are required to get tested.

"They are considered a casual contact. If you are in one of the restaurants from which the food was picked up, you should have a look at the site and you are encouraged to get tested.

"If symptoms develop for anyone who has been to any of these locations, they must get tested immediately.

"I'd urge anyone who's out there, who is unwell, exhibiting any symptoms, or has been to any of the exposure site, please go and get tested."

Mr McGowan said genomic sequencing showed the security guard — known as Case 1001 — had the US variant of the virus:

"He has proven positive to the US variant, which is identical to the person who visited from the United States and was transferred to the hotel on the same day as case 1001 was working.

"So, we expect he acquired the virus from that person. We don't know how.

"The advice we have is at this point in time it was not related to ventilation issues in the hotel."

"As you know, security guards are kept away from the doors of any rooms where we know we have positive travellers.

"But in this particular case the security guard was required to be in the proximity of the lift and potentially via that or by buttons and so on, that's an opportunity for the transmission to have occurred."

Mr Cook said it was his understanding the US traveller and the Indonesian traveller both had the same variant of the virus.

"The working theory is that it spread from the US traveller and made its way to the Indonesian traveller and... the security guard," he said.

Live: 100 people who got food from infected delivery drivers in WA will need to get tested

WA Premier Mark McGowan says 100 people who received food from infected delivery drivers are considered casual contacts and are urged to get tested. Follow live.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Lynda2475]

And the laughs keep coming. From ABC Blog:

WA AMA branch and Premier at odds over mask comments​

The Australian Medical Association has rejected the WA Premier's assertion that N-95 masks are not practical for security guards.

Mark McGowan said earlier today that he's received advice that it's not advisable for hotel quarantine guards to wear the masks because they became wet and uncomfortable, and that it's better for them to wear regular surgical masks.

AMA State President Andrew Miller says he can wear an N-95 mask for 12 hours in an operating theatre, or in intensive care, without a problem.

"But if I am having a problem, my workplace has to give me a break or make my shifts shorter," he said.
"They don't send me to work with substandard, dangerous surgical maks on the floor of a hotel where I'm sharing the air with COVID-positive patients."

Has McGowan ever worn (or seen an) an N95? N95s are definitely more comfortable and longer lasting than a regular surgical masks which get wet and soggy much much faster, as they are touching your nose and mouth, vs N95s which have a shape that means they dont make contact with your mouth or nostrils.

N95s should be standard issue to anyone likely to be directly exposed to a Covid positive.

 

[jakeseven7]

On the news again.

HQ staff in WA hotels not wearing masks.

A HQ detainee caught them on video.

Seriously, what is going on in Perth!?

 

[Pushka]

On the news again.

HQ staff in WA hotels not wearing masks.

A HQ detainee caught them on video.

Seriously, what is going on in Perth!?

Almost like they are setting up the Federal Govt to fail by flouting safety.

 

[dajop]

On the news again.

HQ staff in WA hotels not wearing masks.

A HQ detainee caught them on video.

Seriously, what is going on in Perth!?

In December, in Sydney HQ, I had security based outside my front door, so the 6 times a day I opened my door to get meal and put out the waste after each meal, I could see them.

I estimate that perhaps 1/3 of the time, they were wearing (surgical) masks correctly over mouth and nose and 2/3 of the time, only wearing them over their chins. Maybe I was being over-cautious, but I donned my N95 everytime I went to the door.

Unless someone has significant respiratory problems N95 masks should not be a problem to wear. Coming back to Singapore during Victoria's second wave, I took a 2 hr train ride to Melbourne, rode to the airport, waited for and took my flight to Singapore then took bus to Hotel Quarantine, all the time wearing an N95 mask (except eating and drinking) - all up 11-12 hrs. Dry at the end as when I first put it on (although, as we all know, the plane environment is very dry).

 

[drron]

And the laughs keep coming. From ABC Blog:

WA AMA branch and Premier at odds over mask comments​

The Australian Medical Association has rejected the WA Premier's assertion that N-95 masks are not practical for security guards.

Mark McGowan said earlier today that he's received advice that it's not advisable for hotel quarantine guards to wear the masks because they became wet and uncomfortable, and that it's better for them to wear regular surgical masks.

AMA State President Andrew Miller says he can wear an N-95 mask for 12 hours in an operating theatre, or in intensive care, without a problem.



Has McGowan ever worn (or seen an) an N95? N95s are definitely more comfortable and longer lasting than a regular surgical masks which get wet and soggy much much faster, as they are touching your nose and mouth, vs N95s which have a shape that means they dont make contact with your mouth or nostrils.

N95s should be standard issue to anyone likely to be directly exposed to a Covid positive.

N95 masks aren't always more comfortable than surgical masks.I have found N95 masks quite uncomfortable.And I am not alone.There are several people who just don't suit an N95 mask.I have attended a fitting session for an N 95 mask and have been told my face is just not suitable for those that are available.
Interestingly there is this letter in the current issue of the MJA.

N95 or P2 respirator fit testing policy in Australia: implementation issues to consider

N95 or P2 respirator fit testing policy in Australia: implementation issues to consider

www.mja.com.au

"Finally, even with an efficient fit testing program, due to anatomical variations, there will always be a proportion of health care workers for whom no masks will be suitable."

So I no longer think I am a freak and there are others like me.

Then of course we really don't have hard evidence that masks actually do prevent healthy people from contracting Covid.There is a good Danish study using surgical masks which found they really didn't prevent infection.
now the cynic in me says with such huge numbers of cases in the USA,UK and EU why didn't some country not do a proper study using N95 masks.Surely if there was good evidence you could convince a lot more people to use one and wouldn't that be economically a good idea if many infections could be prevented.

 

[Lynda2475]

There are always exceptions for whom it may not fit as well but then designers should see that as a challnge to offer more shapes of N95.

Im off to theatre tomorrow night and will be wearing an N95 so that I can breathe. Ive worn N95s on all flights and theatre performanes Ive attended in the last year, and my personal experience is they are much better, no gaps, no tape needed and no foggy glasses = winning.

 

[Lynda2475]

More support for N95s - such an inexpensive option to provide greater protection than surgical masks.

The WA government must heed the warnings and stop resisting proper PPE in hotels

The maths is simple: anyone who works in a quarantine hotel should be provided with N95 masks, because no matter the price, the alternative costs the state so much more.

www.smh.com.au

 

[Lynda2475]

Australia's 'gold standard' COVID quarantine facility is changing management. Here's what's about to happen

Howard Springs, the national success story that has been celebrated for helping Australia contain COVID, is changing hands. But not everyone is certain that's a good idea.

www.abc.net.au

 

[drron]

More support for N95s - such an inexpensive option to provide greater protection than surgical masks.

The WA government must heed the warnings and stop resisting proper PPE in hotels

The maths is simple: anyone who works in a quarantine hotel should be provided with N95 masks, because no matter the price, the alternative costs the state so much more.

www.smh.com.au

Though again that is not proof that they prevent infection.A trial should have been done of N95 v surgical mask v no mask at some stage.
The only re[ports are observational studies which are subject to many errors.

 

[nutwood]

Though again that is not proof that they prevent infection.A trial should have been done of N95 v surgical mask v no mask at some stage.
The only re[ports are observational studies which are subject to many errors.

I would think it would depend on situation. I can see a basic surgical mask being effective in stopping someone spreading but I'm not sure that would help much in protecting the wearer. Logically, an N95 mask would provide greater protection to the wearer.
Interestingly, coming into Launceston on Friday night, they were hammering us that "masks must not be removed until you are in your vehicle". I wasn't sure that this was sensible advice. If my mask had been valiantly defending me from airborne virus particles, surely I should remove and dispose of, prior to hopping into the family car?

 

[Lynda2475]

Though again that is not proof that they prevent infection. A trial should have been done of N95 v surgical mask v no mask at some stage.

Perhaps but we have had airborne infection in HQ when no masks and surgical masks have been used, so what is the harm of upgrading to N95? No evidence it would make the situation less safe and plenty of observational evidence that it is safer for the wearer.

 

[dajop]

Perhaps but we have had airborne infection in HQ when no masks and surgical masks have been used, so what is the harm of upgrading to N95? No evidence it would make the situation less safe and plenty of observational evidence that it is safer for the wearer.

Agree with this, there doesn't seem to be evidence that suggest N95 masks have worse outcomes in protection against COVID, all of it seems to point to them being either no different to surgical masks or better than them - depending on the study (and the pathogen as many predate COVID). Although N95 can be less safe to those with respiratory problems (if they cause breathing difficulties). But perhaps those with such respiratory problems aren't particularly well suited to the sort of roles that have higher potential exposure to COVID to begin with?

One of the issues with all the information available in "general" circulation is all the confusions around masks. There are two roles of masks, protection of individuals (workers) (the role of the occupational hygienist) and of course infection control more broadly than just individuals (the role of, well, infection control experts). Perhaps a consquence of this has been of lot of mixed messaging.

 

[Princess Fiona]

N95 masks aren't always more comfortable than surgical masks.I have found N95 masks quite uncomfortable.And I am not alone.There are several people who just don't suit an N95 mask.I have attended a fitting session for an N 95 mask and have been told my face is just not suitable for those that are available.
Interestingly there is this letter in the current issue of the MJA.

N95 or P2 respirator fit testing policy in Australia: implementation issues to consider

N95 or P2 respirator fit testing policy in Australia: implementation issues to consider

www.mja.com.au

"Finally, even with an efficient fit testing program, due to anatomical variations, there will always be a proportion of health care workers for whom no masks will be suitable."

So I no longer think I am a freak and there are others like me.

Then of course we really don't have hard evidence that masks actually do prevent healthy people from contracting Covid.There is a good Danish study using surgical masks which found they really didn't prevent infection.
now the cynic in me says with such huge numbers of cases in the USA,UK and EU why didn't some country not do a proper study using N95 masks.Surely if there was good evidence you could convince a lot more people to use one and wouldn't that be economically a good idea if many infections could be prevented.

I agree with this.
A properly fit-tested and fit-checked N95 mask is nowhere near as comfortable as a surgical mask.

There are always people who don’t pass the fit test on any of the masks available at their place of work.

All of the security guards and staff dealing with HQ wearing these N95 masks would need to be clean shaven for them to be properly effective. I would imagine that would be problematic in itself.
I don’t know what the solution is to improved safety in HQ but issuing N95 to a bunch of blokes with beards certainly isn’t one of them.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Coronavirus WA: Collie man returns ‘very weak’ positive COVID-19 test, believed to be from historic infection​

Briana Fiore PerthNow
May 4, 2021 4:42PM

A Collie man has today returned a “very weak” positive COVID-19 result, however authorities do not believe there is a current threat to the wider community.

The Health Department said it was “most likely” evidence of an historic infection.

The man in his 30s had returned to Collie from Poland following 14 days quarantine in Victoria.


He tested negative to COVID-19 while in Melbourne and then returned a “very weak” positive result after returning to Collie.

The Health Department says such results are often seen in people with old recovered COVID infections.

Although the case is believed to be historic, the man’s three closest contacts have been asked to isolate as a precaution.

Their tests are expected to be returned tomorrow.

SW ALERT: Man returns ‘weak’ positive test

The man in his 30s had returned to Western Australia from Poland after undergoing 14 days quarantine in Victoria.

www.perthnow.com.au

 

[Ric]

I agree with this.
A properly fit-tested and fit-checked N95 mask is nowhere near as comfortable as a surgical mask.

There are always people who don’t pass the fit test on any of the masks available at their place of work.

All of the security guards and staff dealing with HQ wearing these N95 masks would need to be clean shaven for them to be properly effective. I would imagine that would be problematic in itself.
I don’t know what the solution is to improved safety in HQ but issuing N95 to a bunch of blokes with beards certainly isn’t one of them.

Maybe we should petition @drron to shave his beard off to have the N95 fitted properly on him .... for his safety and others!

 

[jakeseven7]

A properly fit-tested and fit-checked N95 mask is nowhere near as comfortable as a surgical mask.

There are always people who don’t pass the fit test on any of the masks available at their place of work.

All of the security guards and staff dealing with HQ wearing these N95 masks would need to be clean shaven for them to be properly effective. I would imagine that would be problematic in itself.
I don’t know what the solution is to improved safety in HQ but issuing N95 to a bunch of blokes with beards certainly isn’t one of them.

Oh don’t worry WA have invented a new mask for their HQ workers - already in use! It’s actually invisible, it’s amazing. You should try itz

 

[dajop]

Oh don’t worry WA have invented a new mask for their HQ workers - already in use! It’s actually invisible, it’s amazing. You should try itz

Trust me, NSW HQ workers had them in December already!