How Qantas's coronavirus cluster spread from a single baggage handler to dozens of workers in just weeks - as leaked documents show how staff complained about cleaning protocols
- A single baggage handler contracted COVID-19 at Adelaide Airport on March 27
- Five more were infected in four days- figures doubled within the next 24 hours
- By April 12, cluster hit 34 - including family members and staff at other terminals
- Leaked document shows a Transport Workers' Union complaint to Safe Work SA
- Qantas Staff said cleaning protocols were poor and risk of infection downplayed
- Qantas has denied the TWU's claims it did not take contamination risks seriously
An unbridled outbreak of coronavirus that rapidly infected dozens stemmed from a single Qantas baggage handler.
A mysterious COVID-19 cluster at Adelaide airport that started with one infected employee on March 27 swelled to 34 cases within weeks.
Moving torrents of luggage daily, touched by thousands of passengers, the virus jumped from employees, to departments - and onto family members.
A coronavirus cluster at Adelaide airport (pictured) has been linked to a single baggage handler
A document obtained by Daily Mail Australia shows a Safe Work notice issued in February following a complaint about hygiene practices on a Qantas plane
Meanwhile, Safe Work documents seen by Daily Mail Australia reveal accusations the aviation company did not implement cleaning protocols to reduce the risk of a contagion.
The deadly virus diffused into Adelaide's aviation community four days after the first diagnosis, when five more Qantas baggage handlers fell ill.
The outbreak prompted a Sydney to Adelaide flight to turn back to NSW mid-flight and a further six Adelaide flights to be cancelled due to a lack of baggage handlers on ground.
South Australia Health stepped up precautions and issued a message urging those still wishing to wipe down luggage and wash hands frequently.
But the next day, the figure had risen to 13- including a further five baggage handlers and two family members.
Two days later, on April 3, Qantas announced 50 employees across all of its Australian operations had caught the illness.
Safe Work NSW launched an investigation into Qantas cleaning protocols in February following a staff complaint about a plane at Sydney Airport
Numbers continued to climb in South Australia, with the cluster hitting 34 on April 12- only 17 days after the first infection.
The figure now included 18 baggage handlers, 13 close contacts, and three Qantas staff from other terminals- indicating the virus had leapt into other departments.
In response, Dr Nicola Spurrier, South Australia's Chief Public Health Officer, ordered her team to map out the 'day-to-day' interactions of the newly infected workers to track the pathogen's path across the airport.
A total of 23 areas across three floors were identified as a coronavirus risk, including staff areas at both check-in and the Qantas Club lounge, cabin crew and pilot areas, lifts, bathrooms, management offices, customer service and staff canteens.
In light of the contamination risk, SA Health and Qantas executives ordered 750 of the airline's staff into 14 days of quarantine, including cabin crew, pilots, customer service staff, engineers and baggage handlers.
Qantas and SA Health have both insisted that no public areas were contaminated, but the health body urged anyone with symptoms who had been in the facility to get tested.
Scores of Qantas and Virgin Australia planes had been flying in and out of the airport carrying potentially infected passengers- but the initial transmission is still shrouded in mystery.
According to data from South Australia health, in a 15-day period, between March 10 and March 25, there were 69 flights with at least one infected passenger on board.
However, of the initial baggage handlers who first tested positive, none had travelled overseas, holidayed on a cruise ship or been in close contact with a confirmed case.
The Transport Workers' Union (TWU) has squared up to Qantas with accusations the company kept employees at works despite the outbreak and downplayed the risk.
The TWU claims it is compiling 'a dossier of evidence' it alleges will show how Qantas allowed the virus to spread at Adelaide Airport .
'The evidence we have gathered so far shows that Qantas knowingly exposed other workers to the coronavirus after it became clear that a worker at Adelaide Airport had contracted the virus,' TWU SA Branch Secretary Ian Smith said.
'Instead of directing workers who had been in contact with that worker to self-isolate, Qantas directed staff to continue coming to work. Others went on to contract the virus and no doubt spread it to even more staff and their families.
'We want a full investigation into how Qantas mismanaged the situation in Adelaide and will be turning over evidence to both SA Health and Safe Work SA.'
Health Safe Work SA has launched an investigation.
Qantas has strenuously denied the TWU claims as false.
'It’s really disappointing to see the TWU wilfully misrepresenting the situation at Adelaide Airport to drive their own agenda,' a Qantas spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday.
'Unfortunately, a few weeks ago one of our baggage handlers at the airport came to work whilst infectious and unknowingly passed the virus to others. This is despite lots of workplace and community messaging not to.
'We have worked closely with SA Health and provided support to our employees.'
In February, another SafeWork investigation was launched in NSW after a Qantas staff member complained about cleaning protocols on a plane at Sydney airport.
The regulator issued an improvement notice was issued to the flying kangaroo airline, requiring them to comply with the order by March 30.
On April 3, Qantas reported that 50 staff across all Australian operations had become infected with COVID-19. Baggage handlers are pictured unloading luggage from a Qantas plane at Adelaide airport on Wednesday April 1
In the notice provided to Daily Mail Australia, an inspector observed cleaners at Sydney airport on February 26 handle wet and dirty tissues, used face masks and soiled nappies without gloves, masks or surgical gowns.
'Workers and other persons may be exposed to a risk of injury or illness from the inadequate system of work used to clean planes that may have transported passengers with an infectious disease,' it said.
'I also observed workers wiping over multiple tray tables with the same wet cloth with no disinfectant and cleaning unknown liquids on floors and surfaces,' the notice issued to Qantas said.
Qantas vowed to fight the notice after a cleaner was dismissed for raising concerns about hygiene.
'We are investigating claims made by SafeWork NSW, after an inspector observed one of our aircraft being cleaned in Sydney last week,' the company previously said in a statement to Daily Mail Australia.
'We are considering appealing the notice.'
'Qantas is not known for being complacent when it comes to safety or the cleanliness of our aircraft.'
Daily Mail Australia also obtained a notice threatening the cleaner with disciplinary action for failing to comply with directions.
Qantas, however, refuted the NSW government inspector's finding that Qantas cleaners worked without protective equipment.
'All of our Fleet Presentation teams are provided with personal protective equipment for cleaning the aircraft and for more hazardous items, we have additional equipment such as masks and safety suits,' it said.
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