Elective surgery to resume as South Australia records 1266 new cases, three new deaths on Tuesday

A much awaited announcement by one state on easing a major Covid-19 restriction has been made, with 1266 new cases of the virus and three deaths recorded on Tuesday.

South Australians looking to have elective surgery could be able to schedule their appointments as soon as Monday next week.

After the Premier flagged the restrictions would ease this morning, it was announced on Tuesday afternoon a staged approach over the month would be taken – but by February 28, all elective surgery will resume.

Stopping all elective surgery was one of the many restrictions implemented when the state was hit by the Omicron wave.

It was just last Friday elective surgery for children was permitted to resume.

As the daily number of new cases continues to decrease, Premier Steven Marshall this morning said authorities were “very close” to making an announcement about easing the temporary ban, with a decision possibly made later in the day.

This afternoon he said he knew elective surgery was not particularly “elective” for many South Australians and many needed their procedure sooner rather than later.

“While we were one of the first states to impose the elective surgery ban, we are one of the first to remove it – and that’s thanks to South Australia’s strong and decisive handling of the global Omicron outbreak,” Mr Marshall said.

“The ban was necessary to put in place last year to help us fight the global Omicron outbreak, ensure our health system was prepared and vaccinate as many South Australians as possible.”

Premier Steven Marshall announced on Tuesday afternoon elective surgery would return in stages over the next month. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Chief Medical Officer Michael Cusack said he was pleased to see the number of daily cases gradually decreasing each day.

“Following the announcement of the reintroduction of all paediatric surgeries last Friday, we are focused on the staged return of elective surgery in public and private hospitals,” he said.

“During this pause in elective surgery, our priority has been not only to care for Covid-19 positive patients in hospital, but also to boost vaccination rates in the community, and staff from the private sector have played an important role in helping us to do this.

“I really want to thank those South Australians, who have had their surgery postponed, for their patience and understanding during this difficult time.”

South Australia has recorded 1266 new Covid-19 cases. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Two years on from when the pandemic began, Mr Marshall reminisced and said South Australians should be proud of the way they had worked together to tackle the situation.

He also thanked all frontline healthcare workers and acknowledged their “extraordinary” work, despite them being under “enormous pressure”.

“The last two years have been an extraordinarily tough time for all.

“I think there is an opportunity to look forward with optimism.

“Certainly after Omicron came there was increased anxiety about where this was heading. “We’re now past that peak and although there is still much more work to be done by SA Health … every single person in SA can hold their head high for a job well done.”

It comes as the state recorded 1266 new Covid-19 cases and three deaths over the past 24 hours.

On Monday there were 1505 new infections and six deaths.

Hospitalisations have again decreased to 273 from 281, with 22 people in intensive care and five on ventilators.