14.01.2022
2 min read

South Australia records highest daily COVID caseload as premier reveals Omicron peak

Steven Marshall has cited ‘alarmingly accurate’ modelling to reveal what the peak will look like.

Man suffers the effects of COVID for over a year

South Australia has suffered a record spike in new COVID-19 cases, with authorities warning the state is approaching the peak of its Omicron wave.

There were 5679 cases reported on Friday, with 1747 detected via positive rapid antigen tests.

Premier Steven Marshall said the increase in new infections should be viewed with a “degree of caution” given the inclusion of RAT results and because some PCR tests were delayed because of hot weather.

Catch the best deals and products hand-picked by our team at Best Picks Best Picks

Six people have died with the virus in the past day.

Hospitalisations have risen from 225 on Thursday to 246.

Twenty people are in intensive care and eight of them are on ventilation.

On Friday, Mr Marshall said “alarmingly accurate” modelling reveals SA will endure the peak between January 15 and 25.

There will be 6000 to 10,000 cases during that peak, Mr Marshall said.

A COVID-19 testing station in Hindmarsh, Adelaide. File image. Credit: Morgan Sette/AAP

There will be a requirement of approximately 370 hospital beds, including 50 ICU places, during the peak.

The premier said the state has a capacity for “significantly more” than those numbers.

“The modelling provides for the peak to be reached as early as tomorrow. I think we’re very close,” Mr Marshall said.

“We’ve still got a couple of pretty tough days and weeks in front of us, but I think we can now look to the other side with great hope.”

No decision yet

Despite the predictions, Mr Marshall refused to provide a forecast regarding the removal of COVID-19 restrictions.

“We’re not in a position to advise with regards to easing restrictions. We want to get to that peak first,” he said.

“But, as I’ve said from day one, we don’t want to leave one restriction in place for a single day longer than we need to.”

He also said the state’s plan for the return to school will reduce the number of cases by “tens of thousands” during the peak, according to the modelling.

Some South Australian students will return to the classroom on schedule with others to learn online for at least two weeks under changes for the new school year.

Under the plan, influenced by the ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases, schools will open on schedule on January 31 for children of essential workers and for students considered vulnerable.

Students in reception, years 1, 7, 8 and 12 will then return on February 2 with other years resuming face-to-face learning from February 14.

Students facing the longer delay will learn online for the first two weeks of term one.

- With AAP