Steven Marshall: Omicron is a gamechanger, but SA is up for the challenge

Omicron is a gamechanger and the message is clear, get vaccinated, writes Premier Steven Marshall.

South Australia has faced challenges in the past and we’ve risen to that challenge every time. I have no doubt the incredible resilience and spirit that has ensured international recognition as the most liveable place in the nation will once again hold firm.

Omicron has only been known since the 28th of November, less than four weeks ago.

It now represents at least 70 per cent of our cases and is a gamechanger that the world is trying to deal with but there is nowhere better equipped to confront that threat than South Australia.

What we know about Omicron:

It’s likely much more transmissible but has lower symptom severity. Despite the lower severity, the sheer case numbers without preventative measures present a real and present danger of overwhelming our health system.

What is becoming even clearer, with every single day that passes in this global pandemic, is that vaccinations save lives.

The data is clear – despite almost 90 per cent of South Australians aged 12 and over being fully vaccinated, about 50 per cent of all of our cases are from people not fully vaccinated.

Data also shows that despite representing about 10 per cent of the population aged 12 and over, people who aren’t fully vaccinated currently represent 66 per cent of current hospitalisations.

If you aren’t vaccinated, please get vaccinated. If you are eligible, please get your booster.

Omicron does not care about your hesitancy or what a Facebook friend thought they saw on Dr Google.

We are bringing forward eligibility for booster shots from five months to four months after the second dose. We will soon have tens of thousands more South Australians further protected and this will play a key role in slowing the spread and saving lives.

It will protect you, your family, your friends and your work colleagues. I can’t be clearer than that.

Now for the good news. As part of our COVID-Ready plan we have boosted hospital capacity by close to 400 beds and are expanding vaccination clinic hours throughout the state.

We have the most passionate, hardworking and dedicated frontline army in the world. To those heroes who didn’t get to share Christmas with their families this year because they are testing, vaccinating and treating people in our hospitals, the entire state says thank you.

To South Australians currently isolating due to this virus, thank you for doing the right thing. It’s not easy, and after the past few years, it’s the last thing we all wanted to do. But your sacrifice is saving lives and ensuring the other 1.7 million can enjoy a relatively normal Christmas.

To the thousands of businesses who are affected by this virus, South Australians stand with you through this frustrating and challenging time.

Let’s fight this like we have the whole way through. Together, united and all ready to do our bit for the greater cause.