COVID-19 update 3 March 2023

03 March 2023

COVID Cases in SA

There have been 1,700 new cases of COVID-19 reported in South Australia in the past week.

As of 11:59pm Thursday 2 March, there were 35 people with COVID-19 in hospital, including one in ICU and one ventilated.

Of those hospitalised, 26 people had received three or more vaccine doses and nine people were either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.

There were 13 COVID-19 deaths notified in the past week, the ages range from people under the age of 20 to over the age of 100. 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 1,700 1,777
Total cases 881,911 880,207
Total deaths 1,322* 1,322

*12 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 7.6% of samples analysed were BA.5 and related variants (of which 93% is B.Q.1), 41.8% were BA.2 and related variants (of which 75.3% is BA.2.75 and 23.3% is XBB). Other recombinant types made up 48.9% of the total variants (of which 71.1% were the XBF recombinant variant).

COVID testing

In the past week, 5,917 people received a PCR test in South Australia, a 19% decrease on the previous week. Of the test results returned, 509 PCR tests were positive and 1,191 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