Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre to reopen after suspected COVID-19 case sparked deep clean

The Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre will reopen on Friday morning after a suspected COVID-19 case triggered a deep clean of the centre. ALAC was packed with people about 7pm on Wednesday night when patrons were asked to leave because of the suspected COVID positive case. The Advertiser understands a male basketball player who visited the centre on Monday and Tuesday has tested positive for the virus. People who played with or against the basketball player have reportedly been advised to isolate and get tested. The Albany Basketball Association released a statement on Wednesday night which included times and locations. The ABA said the COVID positive player was involved a game from 7pm on Monday, February 21 on court six. That fixture was a Year 11/12 division one clash between Infernos and Sonics. The ABA said the COVID positive player was also involved in a game that started at 6pm on Tuesday, February 22 on court six. That fixture was a men’s A-grade game between Ambassadors and Barking Owls. “A positive COVID-19 case has been identified by a player in the Albany competition,” the ABA said. “All players involved in these games may be deemed a close contact and should follow State Government guidelines and procedures immediately. “We have been advised that coaches and managers are not deemed close contacts as they were wearing masks. “We have also been advised that referees are not deemed close contacts.” In WA, close contacts are required to self-isolate for seven days from the date of contact. If close contacts have symptoms, they are required to take a PCR or rapid antigen test as soon as possile. If the close contact and all of their household members tests negative on day seven, they can leave isolation. Close contacts who have no symptoms must return a negative rapid antigen test on day seven before leaving isolation. On Thursday afternoon, the City of Albany — which manages ALAC — said the centre would reopen on Friday. “Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre has undergone a comprehensive clean today following notification from Albany Basketball Association last night that a player had returned a positive COVID test,” the City said on Facebook. “ALAC was closed and cleaned today as a precaution and will return to normal operations and reopen at 5.45am tomorrow, Friday, February 25.” The suspected COVID case in Albany comes after Neil Hansen Basketball Stadium in Kalgoorlie was declared a COVID exposure site last week. Several basketball players in Kalgoorlie have since tested positive to the virus and the stadium remains closed. If confirmed by the WA Health Department, this week’s ALAC COVID case would be the third known positive case in the Great Southern since April 2020. Two people were in isolation with the virus in the Great Southern earlier this month, but WA Health said they were not infectious in the community in the region. The WA Health Department has been contacted for more information.