Covid update, February 9, 2022: Two Covid-related deaths in South Australia

Two more South Australians have died with Covid as SA Health re-opens the state’s first covid-only hospital to non-Covid patients.

This coronavirus update is unlocked and free to read in the interest of community health and safety. Get full digital access to trusted news from The Advertiser with our great introductory offer.

A woman in her 60s and a man in his 90s, who tested positive for Covid, have passed away as SA records 1,671 new cases.

SA Health on Wednesday revealed139 people have died with Covid since the pandemic began just more than two years ago.

There are currently 210 people with Covid-19 in hospital, 18 in ICU and three on ventilators. There are now 14,312 active cases in SA.

Of Wednesdays cases, 97 per cent are omicron.

Yesterday, 9,953 people received a PCR test in South Australia, which is a 19per cent increase on the previous 24 hours.

It follows new SA Health rules which require a symptomatic close contact to have a “gold standard” SA Pathology PCR swab where previously it was only recommended.

Those who are named close contacts but have no symptoms must now take at least four Covid tests instead of the usual two – if they choose to use rapid antigen tests.

More than 410,000 South Australians who are eligible for their Covid-19 booster shot are yet to roll up their sleeves, despite the state having ample vaccine stocks and available jab appointments.

Authorities are pleading with people to go and get their booster shot.

SA Health re-opened Angaston Hospital to non-Covid patients on Wednesday.

It has treated 22 cases since becoming SA’s first Covid hospital more than three weeks ago.

A Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network spokeswoman said a fall in local Covid cases had fuelled its decision.

“The Emergency Department will reopen to the general public, while a newly designated area within the ED will be used to treat those with respiratory symptoms and deliver Covid-19 infusions,” she said.

“The site will continue to care for people from the Barossa and surrounding community who test positive to Covid-19 and require hospital-level inpatient-care for their mild symptoms.

“Infrastructure changes are put in place, creating a quarantined area for suspected and known Covid-19 presentations and separate entry points as well.”

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8:

A man in his 30s is among four more Covid-19 infectious people who have died as the state

South Australia recorded 149 extra cases in the past day with 1296 active patients having been identified. Another 37 cases were found after an SA Health data “reconfiguration”.

Almost two dozen fewer people are in the three Adelaide hospitals, with 204 patients currently being treated for Covid.

There are 15 patients in the Royal Adelaide Hospital’s intensive care unit – down one in 24 hours – while just two people are in need of ventilators while in induced comas, compared to five on Monday.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7:

Premier Steven Marshall declared it was time to “head back to the CBD” while announcing $30 vouchers for people to use in city restaurants, cafes and bars.

It comes as South Australia recorded five deaths yesterday and 1147 positive cases.

“We know the CBD has been doing it extremely tough with only 25 per cent of people back in the city,” he said.

“It is now safe to come back into our CBD. The city is safe.”

He said cases were tracking down and announced the $30 dining vouchers to get people to come back in to support their local restaurants, clubs and bars.

The voucher program is part of a project to boost the CBD, funded by $250,000 from the Adelaide City Council and $250,000 from the state government.

“We know the great state vouchers work extremely well and that when people book a room they also go out and book a dining experience,” Mr Marshall said, adding they were a great addition to the great state vouchers that will be launched on Friday.

He reiterated for people to get their booster and, if symptomatic, get a PCR test.

Adelaide Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said the vouchers were for breakfast, lunch or dinner for cafes, restaurants and bars.

“You can come into the city, be safe and support the city businesses,” Ms Verschoor said.

“It is time for people to come back, we’re bring workers back into the city … and our festival season it about to start.”

She said Adelaide has been an example on the world stage of how to run Covid-safe festivals.

Jack Booker, pictured with Jamie Huffam and Isabelle Lewis, welcomed the dining voucher scheme. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Operations manager of the Big Easy Group Jack Booker said their CBD venues had been hit hard.

“Support packages like this are fantastic,” he said.

“It has been hard, we’ve been doing what we can to get through, doing things differently and cutting costs where we can.

“The city is safe … venues are doing everything we can to be safe.”

He said he looked further to more restrictions lifting and people returning to the city.

As of Monday there were 14,635 active Covid cases in SA.

There are 224 South Australians in hospital with Covid, 16 in ICU and five on ventilators.

There were 7,364 tests done in the past 24 hours.

Meanwhile, more than 30 guests at an Adelaide backpackers’ hostel are being moved to a medi-hotel after it was identified as a close contact site.

Nine guests were bussed from the Adelaide Travellers Inn Backpackers Hostel in Hutt St on Sunday night after it was named by SA Health as an exposure site.

A hostel spokesman said the remaining guests are being moved today.

“There are about 25 who are being taken away by bus to a medi-hotel today,” he said.

SA Health says the hostel is a close contact exposure site from January 29 to February 4, and a high risk site from January 22 to January 28.

Premier Steven Marshall. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

South Australian children began a staggered start back to school last week with some heading to the classroom, while others started online learning.

Already, hundreds of teaching staff have been sidelined by Covid.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6:

On Sunday there were 1,234 new cases bringing the total number of active cases in SA to 15,215.

There were 218 people in hospital, 13 in ICU and five on ventilators. Of those in hospital, 119 are vaccinated, 38 either partially vaccinated or unvaccinated and the remaining 61 their vaccination status is unknown.

In SA, 128 people have died with Covid since the pandemic began just over two years ago.

Of new cases, 97% are the Omicron variant.

As on Sunday, February 6, 94.6% of eligible South Australians aged 12+ have received their first dose, 91.3% their second, but only 60.2% have had their booster.

One new death was recorded on Sunday – a man in his 70s.