‘Huge challenge’ to solve new airport worker case
More frequent border testing and a stand-down period before cleaners can board an international flight after it lands are being mooted as further layers of protection against Covid-19.
The suggestions follow the case of the Auckland airport worker, who appears to have caught the virus after cleaning a plane that arrived on April 10 with a passenger who later tested positive.
An investigation is under way into how the cleaner became infected, and it remains unclear whether they had any person-to-person contact with any of the passengers.
“It’s a huge challenge to figure out how they got infected because they were doing all the right things with PPE and being vaccinated,” Otago University epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker said.
The cleaner might have brushed past the passenger, who had travelled from Ethiopia via Dubai, on an air bridge, or in the aisle inside the cabin.
Leaving the plane empty for a period of time before it gets serviced might help, Baker said.
“I’m not aware of any recorded examples of aerosols being left in an environment and then infecting someone after a significant delay, so that may just be the change that’s needed.”
There
was
also
merit
in more frequent testing of relevant workers, he said. In NSW, for example, highrisk workers — including airport cleaners — are given a less-invasive saliva test every shift.
“There are almost certainly benefits for both New Zealand and Australia in increasing harmonisation of Covid-19 control measures.”
The cleaner, who works for Menzies, is the latest of 15 borderrelated cases since July last year.
She worked three shifts during the infectious period, and 17 of her 25 close contacts are workplace contacts.
Seven of them have so far tested negative, one is being followed up, and others will be tested on day five.
No further locations of interest have been identified beyond those already released: Westfield St Luke’s Mall foodcourt, Bunnings New Lynn, and Movenpick Dominion Rd, all on
Saturday, April 17.
Baker also implored the Government to set up a system where it could monitor high-risk border workers, including when they are tested, and when they should be tested.
“It’s critical to find that higher-risk population. It’s got multiple occupational groups, and different groups have different levels of exposure and risk — so it’s pretty basic to have that.”