Mount Magnet well-placed to weather COVID storm following pub exposure, says president

Community transmission in Mt Magnet is almost inevitable, says Shire president in the wake of the first local COVID exposure site being identified. Mt Magnet Grand Hotel owner Martin Walsh said the barmaid had arrived in town from Perth on Monday, and had worked at the pub that night and Tuesday. She had experienced no symptoms while at work, but on Wednesday conducted a PCR test and self-isolated when she learned she was a close contact of a Perth case. It is understood she initially tested negative for the virus, but returned a positive test on Thursday. Mr Walsh said others who worked the same nights as the barmaid have also been undergoing regular COVID tests. “We got the skimpy in isolation with a positive (COVID test) and we have three barmaids in isolation. (They have) tested negative so far,” he told ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt Radio. Shire of Mount Magnet president Jorgen Jensen praised the actions of pub staff and others potentially exposed to the virus. “I am very happy with the reaction from the hotel, and I am also happy with the reaction of some other people in town who attended the pub Tuesday night,” he said. “On being notified of the situation they have all reacted as you would expect. They got tested and have isolated.” Only one exposure site in Mt Magnet has been identified — the Grand Hotel on February 22 between 5pm and 11pm. But Mr Jensen said it would be naive to think the town could remain immune from community transmission. “We have seen the numbers in Perth, I don’t think it is realistic for any regional community to think (COVID) is not going to hit them,” he said. “We are on a major highway after all, but if people keep doing the right thing, the spread will be limited. And hopefully the system can cope with any symptoms that do develop into serious illness.” Like Yalgoo, the Mt Magnet nursing post has been closed at times due to staffing shortages, but Mr Jensen said the town was better placed than some regional areas to manage a possible COVID outbreak. “We have the Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Service (for the Murchison), which is a big help. I think if the spread is slow we will manage,” he said. “Our biggest issue is that we have volunteer paramedics, so they can’t be continually exposed to this. “No one expects 20 staff here in a place like Magnet, but there needs to be contingencies made by the WA Country Health Service to ensure that if some of the staff are required to isolate, they can be replaced. “That could be a bit difficult given the shortage Statewide.” Mr Jensen said Mt Magnet’s high vaccination rate also put the town in good stead to manage COVID. There are currently four active cases in the Mid West and Gascoyne regions.