COVID-19 update 17 February 2023

17 February 2023

COVID Cases in SA

There have been 1,720 new cases of COVID-19 reported in South Australia in the past week.

As of 11:59pm Thursday 16 February, there were 42 people with COVID-19 in hospital, including five in ICU.

Of those hospitalised, 32 people had received three or more vaccine doses, 9 people were either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated and one had an unknown vaccination status.

There were seven COVID-19 deaths notified in the past week, the ages range from people in their 70s to 90s. 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

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  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This week Previous week
New cases 1,720 1,495
Total cases 878,436 876,722
Total deaths 1,321 1,333*

*19 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 14.1% of samples analysed were BA.5 and related variants (of which 75% is B.Q.1), 35.2% were BA.2 and related variants (of which 88% is BA.2.75 and 12% is XBB).

Other recombinant types made up 50.7% of the total variants (of which 84.7% were the XBF recombinant variant). No BA.4 related variants were detected.

COVID testing

In the past week, 7,768 people received a PCR test in South Australia, an 2% increase on the previous week. Of the test results returned, 569 PCR tests were positive and 1,151 positive Rapid Antigen Test results were reported.

Vaccination update

According to Commonwealth Government data, currently 93.7% of eligible South Australians aged 16+ have received their first dose of the vaccine and 92% have received their second dose. Boosters have been administered to 76.2% of eligible South Australians.

Data is available from Vaccination numbers and statistics.

COVID testing sites

SA Health COVID-19 testing sites are at Bedford Park, Walkley Heights, 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.

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