Latest Covid wave appears to have peaked, Grant Stevens say, as masks in schools come under discussion
The horse has bolted on masks in SA schools, experts say, and almost 50,000 children have contracted Covid. Have your say – should masks be banned in schools?
Coronavirus
Don't miss out on the headlines from Coronavirus. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE “horse has bolted” to protect children from Covid-19 with masks, experts say, as the state’s coronavirus chief raised new hopes South Australia is through the peak of the latest Omicron wave.
State cabinet’s Emergency Management Council on Tuesday heard the latest health advice and fluctuating case data before discussing scrapping emergency laws and planning for new waves.
While authorities also had a “brief discussion” about easing school mask rules, it will be top of the council’s agenda next week before a decision is made for term 2.
Experts said there was mounting evidence that masks in schools are pointless.
UniSA epidemiologist Professor Adrian Esterman, said the “horse has bolted” for masks helping students given the high number of infections in children and teenagers.
“I just think, looking on balance what’s happening, I just wonder if it is doing any good now,” he said.
Almost 50,000 children younger than nine have contracted Covid in the pandemic – almost 20,000 of them in the past month.
Nearly 62,500 sick pre-teens or teenagers, aged 10-19 had the virus.
SA Health said nearly a quarter of the state’s 29,079 infectious patients are younger than 18 after more than 2000 recovered since Friday.
In the past week, SA Health has recorded fluctuating cases of almost 2675 to 5400, with 3829 on Tuesday.
A man and two women in their 80s are among 301 total SA deaths. The council heard 150 new hospital beds have been created in three weeks.
New EMC data shows almost a fifth of the state’s 245 Covid hospital patients – or 46 cases – were admitted due to other medical issues.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the peak appeared to have passed.
“I think it’s pretty safe to assume we’re over the peak but we still have some period of time when … we could see changes in case numbers on a daily basis,” he said.
Masks were last week ditched in almost all public indoor places after 289 days and authorities will watch case numbers over coming days before ruling on schools.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said education mask rules will be guided by science.
“I really do feel for kids … having to wear masks in the classroom,” he said. “It’s not natural. It’s uneasy for them.
“So if we can provide that relief, I’d love to, and I’m determined to do it as soon as we can but provided it’s safe.”
In SA, masks are mandatory indoors for years 7-12 and all school staff while it is encouraged for years 3-6.
Masks are gone in NSW, Queensland, and NT schools.
Australian Education Union SA branch president Andrew Gohl said teachers followed health advice.
“If the health advice was no masks then I’m sure most people would find that a relief,” he said. “But there will be others who still will want to wear them and I hope their wishes will be respected.”
Independent Education Union secretary Glen Seidel said staff were “quite divided” and students frustrated. Unley High’s Milla Bament-Green, 13, said: “They are a bit annoying because teachers sometimes can’t hear us.”
Meanwhile, the Crows will provide 2000 free memberships for two games for frontline Covid workers, including doctors nurses, teachers, police officers, and orderlies.
The first will be the GWS match at the Adelaide Oval on April 30 and they can buy another two tickets per match for half price.
The memberships will be chosen via a ballot for more than 100,000 public servants.
Royal Adelaide Hospital intensive care doctor Nick Edwards, 55, of Linden Park, said it had been incredible tough two years on the frontline.
“I am a fanatical Adelaide Crows supporter. Apologies to my wife and kids but the two greatest days of my life were undoubtedly the 97 and 98 grand finals,” he joked.
“It is almost cliche but it has really been a very tough couple of years.”
Speaking on his first day back from sick leave after a flu-related lung infection, Mr Stevens said he “took some Panadol today, so I’m doing OK”.
This was in reference to a comment from an anti-vax mandate lawyer, representing nurse and AFLW footballer Deni Varnhagen at her vaccine mandate challenge last week when Mr Stevens was excused on medical grounds.
She said he should give evidence after taking pain relief.
Mr Stevens, who said he was feeling much better, said modelling had taken into account the easing of masks in most public locations last week.
Masks were last week ditched in most public indoor places after 289 days. Most Covid marshals also went at 12.01 on Good Friday after 603 days.
“So we’re tracking in accordance with what we were able to forecast,” he said.
Join the conversation
‘It can be fatal’: Health warning for SA babies as RSV spike climbs
A health alert has been issued to SA parents after a shock spike in RSV cases presenting to emergency rooms – with more than half being young children under the age of 5.
Read more
New emergency ‘threats’ putting SA at risk, landmark inquiry finds
The Covid pandemic, River Murray flood crisis, bushfires and statewide blackout were all declared major emergencies over past 20 years. Now, a major inquiry identifies new threats risking state.
Read more