SA records almost 600 more Covid cases on Wednesday, the worst in a month

Almost 2000 Covid cases were reported in South Australia on Wednesday - the worst total since Australia Day; while WA Premier Mark McGowan hit out at SA’s strategy.

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan hit out at SA’s Covid-19 strategy, saying he “I value human life” as the state records the highest number of cases in a month.

SA Health on Wednesday reported almost 2000 cases, a sharp spike of 580 extra infectious patients than which were identified on Tuesday.

Wednesday’s 1958 case total was the highest number of daily cases since Australia Day, records show.

Officials say the spike was likely from the return of school and the Adelaide Fringe’s opening week.

Premier Steven Marshall on Tuesday said that numbers were “plateauing now (and) they’re not increasing”.

SA Health, however, reported on Wednesday a fall of 13 patients being admitted to hospital while two more people are in ICU, three of whom are on a ventilator.

The spike emerged after Mr McGowan became embroiled in an ugly cross-border spat over Covid management.

In an address to WA parliament on Tuesday, said he was “proud” of his government’s stringent rules, namely delaying the opening of borders that had been subject to intense criticism.

“I’ll be proud of that decision, that there will be people alive who wouldn’t otherwise be alive because of the decision the Government of Western Australia took,” he said.

WA delayed state border openings for four weeks from February 5.

Mr McGowan criticised leadership directions of the SA and Tasmanian governments, as well as “other governments around Australia”.

WA Premier Mark McGowan. Picture: Matt Jelonek / The West Australian

“The South Australian, Tasmanian governments, other governments around Australia, took a different decision and there’s a large number of people who are now dead in those States,” he said.

“That’s my point of view – I actually value human life, I value it.”

Premier Steven Marshall on Wednesday defended his government’s handling of the pandemic.

“I completely reject any comment that we haven’t prioritised lives,” he said.

“We’ve had an extraordinarily good performance in South Australia. I note that Western Australia hasn’t opened their borders yet, they’ve already got hundreds.

“You cannot keep Omicron out, there is no way you can do it. It was our decision that we should be (opening borders) before the flu season.”

Earlier, Mr Marshall said South Australians may be rid of all Covid-19 restrictions by Easter, as the state records three new virus-related deaths including that of a man in his 40s.

In an upbeat assessment on Tuesday during the election campaign’s first week, the Premier forecast bans being scrapped within six weeks.

This would mean a majority of legal directions being eased by early April before Easter, which this year falls in the middle of that month.

His intervention on Tuesday came as SA Health reported three new Covid-related deaths, all men, who were aged in their 40s, 60s and 80s.

The number of daily infections also rose for the second consecutive day. There were 1378 cases, which was 161 more than Monday’s total.

Another 15 people were admitted to hospital, bringing the total to 205 patients, while 12 people are in intensive care, one fewer than on Monday.

South Australia has recorded two consecutive days of no Covid-19 deaths. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

The Covid Ready Committee met on Monday, during which officials debated what restrictions Police Commissioner Grant Stevens could ease later this week, including allowing dancing at events such as weddings, along with Adelaide Oval crowd numbers.

While Mr Marshall chairs the Covid Ready Committee, which does not keep agenda papers or document minutes, Mr Stevens authorises all legal directions as state co-ordinator.

Another meeting is planned later this week.

Speaking before Tuesday’s death toll was revealed, Mr Marshall said no decisions on restrictions had yet been made.

“We’ll sit down the next day or two, we’ll have an announcement later in the week,” he said. “I think we will gradually see all of those restrictions reduced over the next two, four, six weeks.”

He added: “We’ve got more people back behind their desks at work, we’ve got all our school students back, we’ve lifted the caps on home gatherings and also hospitality venues. That’s been going really well.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens who decides all Covid restrictions. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

A fortnight ago Mr Marshall announced home gathering caps boosted from 10 to 50 quests while hospitality businesses will also be allowed to have stand-up drinking and 75 per capacity limits in outdoor areas.

Density rules in the fitness sector, including gyms, also moved from one person per 7sqm, to one per 4sqm while work from home rules were eased to 50 per cent.

Labor have accused Mr Marshall of politicising Covid public health rules, and the easing of restrictions to be timed around the March 19 poll – claims the Premier rejected.

South Australia on Monday recorded consecutive days of no Covid-19 deaths for the first time since the new year as authorities consider the latest easing of restrictions.

SA Health reported 1217 infections, 99 more than Sunday. Data checks found another 95 cases.

Hospital admissions are stable at 190 cases, as are ICU patients at 13, and no deaths were reported on both Monday and Sunday.

Consecutive days of no Covid-related deaths last occurred on January 6. There have been 166 total Covid-related fatalities.

Mr Marshall also revealed a “scaling back” of the medi-hotel system.

St Basil’s Aged Care facility, Croydon Park, is the latest nursing home to enlist the help of the Australian Defence Force.

Chief executive Michelle Church said it asked five soldiers to help with RAT surveillance, waste disposal and resident “engagement” as three staff isolated. “It is bringing a ray of sunshine,” she said.

At least 20 troops are also helping at the Tanunda Lutheran Home in the Barossa Valley, the Ridleyton Greek facility in Brompton and Ananda Aged Care in Hope Valley.

Leading Age Services Australia chief executive Sean Rooney said residents “have been delighted” with the ADF assistance.

Originally published as SA records almost 600 more Covid cases on Wednesday, the worst in a month