Premier Steven Marshall addressed the South Australian public this afternoon with the latest information on the evolving COVID-19 situation in SA.
In the 24 hours to midnight last night, a total of 1,445 COVID-19 cases were confirmed in SA. Sadly, two people have passed in the last 24 hours, with further details to come in today’s statistic update. A total of 1,159 these were confirmed via PCR and a further 286 were confirmed via the rapid at-home tests (RATS).
Marshall stated that South Australia is seeing the switch from rapid tests back to the PCR tests after the state government and SA Health updated their advice on the testing recommendations. He continued to say as more people utilise the highly-accurate tests, the state’s numbers will jump around and it is best to look at the seven-day average instead of the daily cases.
Numbers have remained stable for hospitalisations and those intensive care, with 210 in hospital and 16 people in the ICU, five of which are on a ventilator.
Speaking on the upcoming state election, Marshall said that Police Commissioner is in the final stages of approving a model that will see every South Australian eligible to vote this March 19.
More than 50 per cent of those aged 5 to 11 year-olds have had their first dose of the pediatric vaccine. SA is taking the second lead, behind Tasmania, on the percentage per capita of the younger cohort receiving their vaccinations.
Marshall said that the ATAGI decision re-defining the definition of fully vaccinated will be considered by the state government and SA Transmission committee in the coming week. Three doses are already mandatory in health and aged care settings, with further advice set to emerge for specific sectors soon.
“There is data from the rest of the world for the potential of a fourth booster to be required,” said Marshall.
“The most important thing to do at the moment is to work with the vaccines we have now.”
Novavax to be distributed late February:
South Australia is set to begin its distribution of the fourth TGA-approved vaccination, Novavax. From February 23, those seeking the protein-based Novavax will be able to roll up their sleeves and receive their first dose. SA has secured 4,000 doses of Novavax. Marshall stated that further details on where individuals can book and get their first vaccine will come in the following days.
“There has been some hesitancy on the vaccine, and I think this will be a big relief for those people,” Marshall says.
Students and office workers return as restrictions on hospitality ease:
In light of yesterday’s announcement of easing restrictions, 50 per cent of office workers will return to work from Monday, the same day as the remaining school students return to face-to-face learning.
“The big change for the CBD yesterday is that 50 per cent of people are going back to the office on Monday,” Marshall said.
“This is tracking us back to making sure we can ease those restrictions in a careful way and not overwhelm our health system.”
Further ease on restrictions for hospitality and home gatherings were also announced, with vertical consumption permitted outside and density requirements increasing, just as the seventh round of Great State Vouchers went live today.
Marshall said that the while restrictions easing and support packages for affected businesses have been distributed
“We want to build demand, but we want to do it safely,” Marshall said.
“Book a table at your favourite café, restaurant and bar…you’re doing the state a favour.”
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.
For more information visit https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/ or call the SA COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787.
More News
