SA Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas tests positive to Covid

SA Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas has tested positive to Covid after catching the virus somewhere on New Year’s Day.

Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas says his Covid-19 symptoms were so mild he would’ve felt well enough to go to work before the pandemic.

Mr Malinauskas, who is double vaccinated and was booked in for a booster shot on January 12, said he received his positive test result on Monday morning.

“I woke up (Sunday) morning feeling a bit average and did the right thing and went and got a PCR test because I had symptoms, a bit of a headache and whatever, and this morning I found out I am Covid-positive,” he said in a video posted on his Facebook page on Monday.

Mr Malinauskas’ wife Annabel and their three children have all tested negative.

“This is an experience I share right now with thousands of other South Australians,” he said in a statement provided to The Advertiser.

“I’m happy to say I feel well, I just have some very minor cold-like symptoms.”

Mr Malinauskas said he would isolate at home, in line with SA Health rules.

“In the meantime, I remain focused on providing constructive ideas to address the Covid challenge while also outlining my team’s plan for the future,” he said.

He told FIVEaa on Tuesday morning he was glad he got tested.

“I was quite surprised on one level that I got a positive result,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“If this happened a few years ago I probably would’ve gone to work (due to the mild symptoms).”

Mr Malinauskas is one of the 2552 cases SA recorded on Monday, with 94 people in hospital, nine in ICU.

Greens MLC Robert Simms is also isolating after testing positive to Covid-19 on New Year’s Day.

“I’m feeling under the weather but my symptoms have been pretty mild,” he said.

“I’m in quarantine at home and look forward to getting back on deck in a few weeks, once I’ve completed my required isolation.”

SA Labor Leader Peter Malinauskas. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

The Labor leader, who has had little public contact in recent days, was unsure where he contracted the disease on New Year’s Day.

But he has advised people who he’s been in close contact with.

He held a press conference on New Year’s Eve and later attended a funeral.

It is not the first time Mr Malinauskas has had to isolate due to Covid.

He was caught up in the Norwood Cluster in early December after he met with former premier Jay Weatherill.

Mr Weatherill returned a positive Covid test after going to a high school reunion in Norwood. Two men in their 50s, who had caught the virus from an interstate traveller, also attended the event.

Mr Malinauskas and his family returned negative tests during that incident.

No members of the state government or any other members of the Labor Party have tested positive to Covid.

Originally published as SA Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas tests positive to Covid