SA Covid reinfections surge as new wave tipped for summer
Thousands of South Australians have been hit with their second dose of Covid in recent weeks, new data says, as leaders say when the next wave is tipped to hit.
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Covid has been double trouble for thousands of South Australians who have been reinfected with Omicron for a second time in recent weeks, new data shows.
Latest SA Health figures show more than 10,000 South Australians have reported having coronavirus twice – almost 4000 in the past fortnight – as the reinfection rate surges.
Medical experts say while evidence is scant, some overseas studies’ early results have found contracting the virus a second time heightens “long Covid” risks.
Side effects can include ongoing fatigue, fevers, headaches and other body issues.
Official modelling shows SA’s third wave peaked almost three weeks ago but Covid-19 chiefs say peaks are recorded every four or five months.
Special genome testing shows almost 90 per cent of SA’s cases are new variants – with three quarters the BA. 5 strain. But federal authorities have raised concerns about Australia’s lagging third-dose rates while state authorities prepare for a public transport mask blitz this week.
Health Minister Chris Picton urged more people to have these vaccinations.
“This not only helps reduce the risk of contracting Covid-19 and protects your loved ones but also the severity if you get it again,” he said.
Latest data shows almost 500,000 eligible South Australians have failed to get their third “booster” jab.
Fewer than 40 per cent have had a fourth “winter” dose.
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners SA and NT chairman Dr Danny Byrne said the new Omicron variants were to blame for reinfections, especially among younger people.
“Some people are definitely feeling worse after their second infection,” he said.
Premier Peter Malinauskas and chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier have warned the next wave is expected in the summer.
Mr Malinauskas said he was “probably never happy in respect to the demand that is on the hospital system at the moment” but cases were falling as forecast.
“We would love Covid case numbers to go to zero – clearly that that’s not going to happen anytime soon,” he said.
“What we have to start to acknowledge … while this most recent wave of Covid may have passed the peak, there will be other waves into the future and they’re going to be here for some time to come.”
On Sunday, SA Health reported zero daily deaths for the first time in a month.
Data shows rates of active, or infectious, patients, have halved in a fortnight. Daily cases have slumped two thirds from a peak of more than 5000 in mid-July, but hospitals are still under huge pressures with more than 316 Covid patients.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said he was “very concerned” at third booster dose rates that have “flatlined”.
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