COVID-19 update 26 May 2023
26 May 2023
COVID Cases in SA
There have been 4,012 new cases of COVID-19 reported in South Australia in the past week.
As of 11:59pm Thursday 25 May, there were 177 people with COVID-19 in hospital, including five people in ICU and one person ventilated.
There were nine COVID-19 deaths notified in the past week, the ages range from people in their 60s 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
| This week | Previous week | |
|---|---|---|
| New cases | 3,256 | 2,471 |
| Total cases | 911,323 | 908,077 |
| Total deaths | 1,444 | 1,439 |
*1 death has been removed from the total due to previously reported deaths found to be unrelated to COVID-19
Variants
The latest genome sampling has found 67% of cases were caused by BA.2 and related variants (of which 17% were BA.2.7.5 and 83% were the XBB variant). The XBB.1.5 subvariant made up 29.4% of the total.
Other recombinant types made up 33% of the total variants (of which 98.4% were the XBC variant).
COVID testing
In the past week, 9,970 people received a PCR test in South Australia, a 12 per cent increase on the previous week.
Of the test results returned, 888 PCR tests were positive and 2,368 positive Rapid Antigen Test results were reported.
Vaccination update
Data is available from Vaccination numbers and statistics.
COVID testing sites
There are more than 40 sites across the state where South Australians can access a PCR with and without a GP referral. This includes new walk-in clinics at Salisbury and Brighton, Frome Road in Adelaide and Mount Barker, where people can get a free PCR without a referral.
Bookings are preferred.
PCR testing should be prioritised for people who are more vulnerable to the health impacts of a COVID infection and who would benefit from prompt diagnosis and treatment with oral antiviral medications.
For more information and to find a testing site, visit SA Health Covid Testing.
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