THE region’s health system continues to struggle with the impacts of Covid-19, with the Barmera Hospital emergency department set to shut for more than a week due to a staff shortage.

A Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (RMCLHN) spokesperson said the ED would close for nine days from 6pm tonight, due to “staff illness and the unavailability of alternate medical staff”.

“Patients requiring emergency care will be diverted to Riverland General Hospital via the South Australian Ambulance Service (SAAS), who have also been advised of the ED temporary closure,” they said.

“Emergency services at Barmera Health Service will reopen on Monday, May 2, and we will continue to update the community on any changes.

“As always, in an emergency please call triple zero (000).

“We will continue to provide medical support and services for our current inpatients throughout this period.

“Nursing staff will still be available, with telehealth support from the RMC CARES (Country Access to Remote Emergency Support) service, which is hosted from Riverland General Hospital, for the small number of patients who might still present to the ED while it is closed.

“We would like to reassure the community that we are committed to providing safe and high-quality emergency services.”

The closure follows recent Covid-19 outbreaks at four Riverland aged care facilities, with Barmera’s Bonney Lodge and Waikerie’s Pioneer Haven Residential Aged Care Facility having to close to visitors.

The Barmera Hospital ED was previously closed for almost two years from April 2020 until February 2022 to decrease the risk of Covid-19 transmission to co-located aged care facilities.