On February 8, SA Health will gain access to the brand-new Tom's Court, which will accommodate the state's dedicated COVID-19 facility.
After set-up and orientation, the facility will be ready to receive patients who test positive from the following week.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said as part of the plan to protect South Australians from the spread of COVID-19, the opening of Tom's Court marks a significant enhancement of our State's quarantine process.
"More than 11,000 people have quarantined in one of our medi-hotels to date and we are committed to our quarantine system being as safe and stringent as possible," Minister Wade said.
"Since late last year, COVID-19 patients have been accommodated in a dedicated facility within the Pullman Hotel.
Soon, patients who test positive to COVID-19 will be taken to this standalone facility, with Tom's Court exclusively staffed by SA Health and SAPOL for nursing and security purposes.
"As we have said before, there is never zero risk of COVID-19 entering South Australia and it is crucial we put as many shields as possible between the virus and the community.
"Under a raft of initiatives to further strengthen the hotel quarantine process, dedicated SA Health and SAPOL staff working at the brand-new, 72-bed facility will not be deployed to another medi-hotel or high-risk environments, including hospitals, and aged care and correctional facilities.
"Given the highly transmissible strain we are seeing from overseas, any COVID-19 positive patients already at the Pullmans at the time of Tom's Court opening, will not be moved.
"They will remain in the two dedicated floors at the Pullman until they are cleared so there may be a short period where two facilities are used."
The agreement with Tom's Court was this week signed for six months initially, with SA Health being given access on Monday 8 February to allow time for staff to familiarise them with the site and undertake relevant training before guests are admitted.
"To make our hotel quarantine process as safe as possible, all medi-hotel staff receive PCR testing every seven days, with a staged roll-out of daily saliva testing nearing completion" Minister Wade said.
"All medi-hotel staff will receive daily saliva testing by Monday 8 February.
"In addition, we are expanding the surveillance program to include daily saliva testing to all airport workers who are currently required to receive PCR tests every seven days. This will be complete by 22 February."
Deputy Chief Public Health Officer, Dr Emily Kirkpatrick, said Tom's Court was chosen following a comprehensive selection process, involving the state's preeminent public health officials and South Australia Police (SAPOL).
"The facility includes four rooms with apartment style facilities suitable to accommodate families and two purpose-built disability suites, with many of the rooms having balconies and opening windows providing fresh air to the rooms," Dr Kirkpatrick said.
"Most importantly, its central location will allow for a rapid transfer to the Royal Adelaide Hospital should it be required.
"Some modifications to the heating ventilation and air conditioning system have been made to enable the hotel to meet SA Health's stringent requirements as a medi-hotel, with additional CCTV cameras also being installed.
"We have also increased health support and mental health wellbeing checks for guests.
"All staff working in Tom's Court will also still have access to a separate Hotel for Heroes facility so they have the option to rest away from their home and family if required."
The hotel is located on Tom's Court Road, off Halifax Street, in the Adelaide central business district.
