SA records 3,070 new COVID-19 cases, 123 in hospital

South Australia has recorded 3,070 COVID-19 cases, with 123 people in hospital.

Both figures are a slight decrease on yesterday’s numbers.

Premier Steven Marshall said 12 people remained in ICU, one of them on a ventilator.

Mr Marshall said concerns had been raised for younger South Australians following the death of a 13-month-old girl who had COVID-19 last week, but no children were in ICU at the state’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

“We were concerned about this a week or so ago, there was a lot of anxiety regarding that very tragic death and whether or not we were going to see an over-representation amongst younger people,” he said.

“That hasn’t transpired, we’ve had no children in the ICU at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital so far.”

Mr Marshall said 308 health staff had tested positive, up from 271 yesterday, including ambulance officers.

The SA Ambulance Employees Association said the South Australian Ambulance Service could start “rationing” paramedics by pairing them “with non-emergency ambulance officers” as case numbers grow and staff are sent into isolation.

Mr Marshall confirmed South Australians will no longer need to confirm a positive rapid antigen test with a PCR test, following an agreement at national cabinet yesterday.

He also gave further details about new testing requirements for close contacts, which have not yet come into effect.

Close contacts identified by SA Health – or who identify themselves to SA Health – will be sent a QR code allowing them to collect two free rapid antigen tests for use on day one and day six.

“If they get a positive on the day one, they will be deemed to be COVID-positive, no need to get a corresponding PCR test,” Mr Marshall said.

“So this will reduce the pressure on our PCR tests in South Australia.

“It’s about 95 per cent accurate and the whole country agreed yesterday this is the best use of our finite PCR testing capability across the state.”

Mr Marshall said close contacts should not buy and use rapid antigen tests from retail shelves for their day one and six tests.

“We want to leave those for people who want to do surveillance,” he said.

First cases of COVID-19 in the APY Lands

The APY Lands recorded two positive cases in the community of Amata, about 14 kilometres south of the Northern Territory border.

The two cases and their close contacts have been sent to Adelaide via the Royal Flying Doctor Service and are isolating.

Testing is underway in Amata.

The APY Lands have been closed for the next five days, meaning no-one can enter or leave except for essential workers.

The Maralinga Tjarutja lands have also been closed.

The APY Lands has had mandatory vaccination in place for anyone entering since the end of November.

In December the area was on high alert after COVID-19 fragments were detected in wastewater testing, which was later cleared after all residents tested negative.