Covid cases jump by almost 800 in a week, testing on the rise, eight more deaths recorded

South Australia has recorded 3256 new cases of Covid this week, a jump from 2471 in the previous week.

South Australia has experienced a jump of almost 800 Covid cases in the past week.

There were 3256 new cases of Covid reported in the state in the past week, compared with 2471 in the previous week.

Eight Covid deaths were notified to SA Heath in the past week, the age ranges from people in their 70s to 90s.

As of 11.59pm on May 18, there were 140 people with Covid in hospital, including one in ICU and one ventilated.

In the past week 9,970 people had a PCR test, a 12 per cent increase from the previous week. Of the test results, 888 PCR tests were positive and 2368 positive RATs were reported to SA Health.

SA Health said the rise in Covid cases was in line with modelling that showed an increase as the weather turned colder.

“As we approach winter and colder weather, it is natural for people to spend more time indoors and this is when respiratory viruses like Covid-19 and influenza spread more easily,” a spokesperson said.

An Education Department spokesperson said measures, such as circuit breakers and face masks when there had been cases reported, would be kept in place in SA schools.

“Our policy and approaches have proven to be successful in helping minimise risk and transmission in our school communities during periods of increased case numbers.”