Omicron: new Covid-19 sub-variant surging through state but cases have fallen
Officials tasked with controlling Covid say they are as yet unconcerned with a more infectious Omicron strain that is surging through South Australia.
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A more infectious Covid-19 Omicron strain is South Australia’s dominant variant, infecting almost half of new patients, official figures show.
New SA Health genome testing shows 48 per cent of the state’s cases are the BA.2 variant, a rise from 19 per cent of patients in a week.
Amid a slight drop in cases on Friday, authorities were monitoring how the strain was fuelling infections since a “significant” easing of restrictions.
Senior government sources, however, said Covid officials were “not concerned at the moment”.
They said there was widespread hope for no new curbs, as hospital and intensive care rates were stable.
However, they warned of a lag time of between 10 days and a fortnight from infection.
Overseas studies say while the new Omicron variant is more infectious and transmissible, there is little evidence it is more dangerous or severe.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens last Saturday scrapped all density restrictions for the first time in two years, as well as lifting bans on dancing, singing and certain QR codes.
Mr Stevens, who authorises all legal directions as state co-ordinator, said SA Health had briefed him on the new variant “and its impact on the … community”.
“I continue to be updated as further information becomes available,” he said.
“Whilst daily case numbers are monitored, hospitalisation rates for Covid-19 are of the most importance.
“Should the situation escalate and require restrictions to be put in place for the safety of the community, these would be discussed and decided upon as required.”
Mr Stevens is considering health advice to ease mask use and quarantine rules “very soon”. No date has been set for the Covid-Ready Committee, which formulates advice for Mr Stevens, but it will likely meet later next week.
Chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier said BA.2 was SA’s dominant strain and official case modelling was being adjusted as a result.
She played down the possibility of restrictions returning if cases kept surging but would not say if she backed the recent relaxing of rules.
SA Health on Friday reported 4274 cases. This was 200 fewer than for Thursday after days of soaring case numbers.
The 4274 was among the highest daily totals this year. SA Health reported three more deaths on Friday – a man in his 20s, a man in his 80s and a woman in her 40s.
Last night, 136 patients were in hospital, an increase of four cases in 24 hours.
There were five ICU patients, down from eight on Thursday – the lowest number since New Year’s Day.
An SA Health spokeswoman urged the public to follow “Covid-safe behaviours” and to get a third booster vaccine.
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