Premier Steven Marshall addressed the South Australian public today with the latest information on the evolving COVID-19 situation in SA.
In the past 24 hours, 3,493 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in SA with a slight increase of 125 individuals in the hospital. Those in ICU remain at 12, with one individual on a ventilator.
Marshall was pleased to announce that COVID-positive cases in the ICU have not increased, and stated that the hospital system is still well within its capacity to cope with current hospitalisations. An increasing amount of SA Health workers have continued to test positive for the virus, with 271 individuals currently having COVID.
Despite the closure of four SA Clinpath sites yesterday, testing rates reached 21,097 and saw a reduction in lab processing times by a few hours as well. Two of the four closed Clinpath clinics, Gepps Cross and Aldinga, have now re-opened.
Speaking on the use of rapid antigen tests (RATS), Marshall stated that South Australia will look at using the RATS for those deemed a close contacts in the coming weeks, with further details about this switch set to be revealed in the following days. In SA close contacts are currently required to receive a PCR test.
Cases are expected to continue rising, with Marshall saying SA is a few weeks away from the COVID peak, the Premier said SA Health will evolve the system to see close contacts taking the at-home tests instead of the currently required PCR test.
Marshall announced that the RATS will be free for those identified as close contacts, as is currently the case for PCRs. While the finer details are still yet to be announced, Marshall discussed the RATS close contact system will work similar to the current procedure, with a booking system for those needing the at-home test. This will only be the case for close contacts, freeing up PCR tests for the symptomatic general public.
Marshall re-confirmed that there is no shortage of RATS in South Australia, as a shipment of 1 million RATS will be ready for use in the state in the week moving forward.
As reports continue to emerge detailing cases of price gouging on RATS, Marshall clearly stated he had “no tolerance” for those driving up the price of the critical tests during this time. The premier also announced he was meeting with the national cabinet later this afternoon to discuss making RATS accessible to everyone who requires one.
“We need to be able to get these [RATS] into the hands of people at a cost-effective price,” Marshall said.
He continued to say South Australia will consider all and every option for making the tests accessible.
The national cabinet is meeting this afternoon, for the first time in 2022, to discuss the use of rapid antigen tests and subsidising the cost of them. The reported plan details pensioners, welfare recipients and other eligible individuals potentially receiving up to five RATS to use. The eligibility requirements are expected to be similar to those implemented for COVID-19 payments. The discussion of the impending meeting is expected to be announced soon.
Vaccination rates have also tripled, with Marshall announcing that South Australia saw almost 20,000 vaccinations yesterday as the state continues to flex up its vaccination and testing capacity. The premier thanked the state’s GPs and pharmacies, as well as other health professionals, for helping administer the shots to the SA public.
“I’m hoping for even more over the coming weeks in South Australia,” Marshall said.
“Vaccination is crucial, please go get those jabs in the arm and those boosters…it’s critical to making sure we can save lives in South Australia.”
Speaking on the vaccinations status of the 125 individuals in the hospital and 12 in ICU, Marshall said 50 per cent in the ICU are unvaccinated.
As of January 4, 2022, 88.0 per cent of South Australians aged 12 and over have received both doses of a TGA approved vaccination. A total of 92.6 per cent of SA residents 12 and over have also received their first dose.
If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, please seek testing as soon as possible.
Find your nearest testing site at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVIDtesting.
More information is available at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVIDcontacttracing.
For more information visit https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/ or call the SA COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787.
SA HEALTH LISTED COVID-19 EXPOSURE SITES:
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