South Australia has recorded its first case of mysterious Covid community transmission since the pandemic began as authorities battle to contain the latest outbreak.
In a major alert, SA Health on Friday revealed the patient with an “unknown source of infection” had spent time in the Port Noarlunga area.
Authorities urged people in the Onkaparinga Council areas across Adelaide’s outer south, including Port Noarlunga and Reynella, to get Covid tested for even the mildest of symptoms.
Contact tracers have been unable to establish where the patient contracted the virus, in the first such case in more than 18 months.
“People in the Onkaparinga LGA, including Port Noarlunga and Reynella, who have any symptoms of Covid-19, are strongly encouraged to seek testing with any symptoms whatsoever, and isolate until they receive a negative test result,” an SA Health spokeswoman said.
“SA Health is working to increase capacity in testing sites in this area.”
The first mysterious case of community transmission since April last year has emerged 10 days after borders reopened to the eastern states after 153 days. The sources of all other cases have been traced.