COVID-19 update 13 January 2023

13 January 2023

COVID Cases in SA

There have been 3,261 new cases of COVID-19 reported in South Australia in the past week.

As of 11:59pm Thursday 12 January, there were 128 people with COVID-19 in hospital, including six in ICU.

Of those hospitalised, 91 people had received three or more vaccine doses, 35 people were either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated and two had an unknown vaccination status.

There were 38 COVID-19 deaths notified in the past week, the ages range from people in their 60s to 90s, including one death in people aged under 70 years. Deaths may not have occurred in the week in which they were reported.

Please note that due to a reconfiguration of the data, the total number of cases has been readjusted.

Total case breakdown

{​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​{​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​table.title}​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​}​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This week Previous week
New cases 3,261 4,954
Total cases 870,164 866,642
Total deaths 1,203 1,170

*Five deaths have been removed from the total due to previously reported deaths found to be unrelated to COVID-19

Variants

The latest genome sampling has found 36.1% of samples analysed were BA.5 and related variants (of which 62.9% is B.Q.1), 35.1% were BA.2 and related variants (of which 97.1% is BA.2.75 and 1.5% is XBB). Other recombinant types made up 30.8% of the total variants (of which 81% were the XBF recombinant variant). No BA.4 related variants were detected.

COVID testing

In the past week, 14,188 people received a PCR test in South Australia, a 23% decrease on the previous week. Of the test results returned, 1,521 PCR tests were positive and 1,740 positive Rapid Antigen Test results were reported.

Vaccination update

According to Commonwealth Government data, currently 93.6% of eligible South Australians aged 16+ have received their first dose of the vaccine and 91.8% have received their second dose. Boosters have been administered to 76.2% of eligible South Australians.  

COVID testing sites

SA Health COVID-19 testing sites are at Bedford Park, Walkley Heights, Port Adelaide, Frome Road and some regional sites. PCR testing is available at these sites without a GP referral.  

GP Respiratory Clinics will also continue to operate in metropolitan and regional areas. Go to SA Health Covid Testing for more information.

RAT eligibility

 Free RATs will continue to be available at collection sites for:

  • people with disability or who are immunocompromised
  • a carer of someone with a disability or who is immunocompromised
  • concession card holders (including Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and Department of Veterans Affairs Concession Card) 

 Eligible people can collect five free tests.

You do not need to register before collecting free RATs but will be required to show your eligible concession card. If you are living with disability or immunocompromised, you or your carer need to advise at the Collection Point. You do not need to provide your name or personal details.

People who are not eligible for free RATs can purchase them from participating pharmacies and retail outlets.

Hot weather

COVID-19 testing sites and RAT Collection Points will have updated operating hours this weekend due to the hot weather forecast.

Go to www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/covidtesting to check opening hours, allow extra time to get tested and take water with you.

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, please seek testing as soon as possible.

For more information, visit www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVID-19