Coronavirus (COVID-19)
As of 17 August 2021 the current activity restriction level is Level 1 with additional restrictions.
These details and further information about the current restrictions can be found here: Current Activity Restrictions | SA
SA Health restriction advice for ACCHSs
Most importantly for Member Service ACCHSs, this means that the capacity for services should remain at all times one person, per four square metres and masks must be worn at all times by all staff, patients and visitors as all Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services are considered to be a ‘high risk setting’.
As always, exposure sites across South Australia will continue to be updated on the SA Health website and if there is an outbreak in the South Australian community, it is recommended that this webpage be checked regularly for new information: SA Health | SA Contact Tracing and Exposure Locations
Please keep up to date with all of the latest border closure information which can be found here: Travel restrictions | Government of South Australia
South Australia's COVID-Ready Plan
On the 26th of October, 2021, the South Australian Government announced its COVID-Ready Plan, which outlines how COVID-19 will be managed in South Australia.
This includes lifting of border restrictions and internal activities based on health advice and outlines a measured and clear path out of the pandemic, ensuring that COVID-19 can be controlled and preapres the state of South Australia for living with COVID-19 in the longer term.
SA Health RAT Advice
In South Australia, rapid antigen tests are now being used as a test to disgnose COVID-19. This means that if you test positive using a rapid antigen test, your result does not need to be confirmed with a PCR test.
Find out more about when you should use a RAT at the SA Health webpage here.
If you return a positive COVID-19 result when you test with a rapid antigen test, you are are required to lodge it via SA Health. You are not required to lodge a negative result.
Lodging a positive COVID-19 test result from a rapid antigen test can be done here.
Healthcare Setting Workers Vaccination
This current direction is important and affects all Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, including AHCSA's Member Services. From 29th January, all Healthcare Setting Workers, including Aboriginal Communtiy Controlled Health Services, must have had, or have evident of a booking to have a booster dose within four weeks of becoming eligible.
People aged 18 years and over are eligible to recieve the booster dose four months after recieving the second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
This requirement applies to all people engaged in work or duties at a health care setting including clinicians, allied health workr, cleaners, administrative staff and students undertaking placement, regardless of whether they work in patient or in a non-patient area. It also applies to all people who attend a health care setting incidentally, such as delivery drivers or suppliers.
Access the Emergency Declaration Healthcare Setting Direction details here.
Frequently asked questions about management and assessing the risk can be found here.