Covid SA: Expert’s warning on how to play it safe during festive period as cases rise

As SA cases continue to rise – topping 10,000 in the latest weekly report – here are the recommended precautions to protect the vulnerable.

Enjoy festive functions outdoors this year if possible, federal Health Minister Mark Butler says as the latest Covid figures for South Australia continue to rise.

Speaking in Adelaide the MP for Hindmarsh urged Australians to stay Covid safe this Christmas by using sensible precautions.

As families prepare to gather for festive functions – which will include elderly relatives – and people enjoy crowded functions from office parties to sports events, SA Covid cases continue to rise despite hopes the latest wave was plateauing.

SA recorded 10,754 new cases in the latest weekly update, up from 9986, 9684 and 9601 in the previous three weeks.

The death toll also continues to rise as the nation learns to “live with Covid”, with of 1126 deaths now recorded from a total of 842,328 cases.

Officials say cases may be under-reported now that rules around Covid have eased.

Mr Butler said he “encouraged all Australians to be Covid safe” this Christmas with measures including being up to date with vaccination boosters, isolating if unwell, and if over 70 or have other health issues ensuring you have a plan with your GP to get antiviral medication if needed to reduce the likelihood of severe disease.

People are being urged to celebrate Christmas outdoors if possible. Picture: iStock.

“If indoors or in crowded spaces try to wear a mask, particularly if you are with older or vulnerable members of your family this festive season and they are vulnerable to the risk of severe disease,” he said.

“Make sure as far as possible you are having outdoor events, you are wearing a mask if close to someone who is vulnerable to severe disease or the possibility of hospitalisation.”

Mr Butler noted the national figures for Covid had dropped from double digit increases for around five weeks to a 2 per cent increase in the latest data which indicates it may have started to plateau.

Other indicators also indicate the peak may have arrived – use of antivirals had been increasing 20 per cent a week for six weeks but has flattened while case numbers for aged care residents have declined.

“We are hopeful that we are starting to see the peaking of this 4th omicron wave for 2022 but there is still a way to go so I encourage all Australians to be Covid safe,” Mr Butler said.

SA Health’s advice to protect yourself and others and help stop the spread of coronavirus includes:

Get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Practice good hygiene like covering coughs and sneezes and wiping down surfaces.

Stay 1.5 metres apart wherever you can.

Stay at home if you are unwell.

Stay home and get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms.

Wear a face mask when required or when you can’t physically distance.