Child among 15 SA COVID-related deaths in two days

SA Well being mentioned in a press release this afternoon that the reason for the kid’s demise is at present being investigated following a referral to the state coroner.

It’s the third occasion of a kid below the age of 5 passing away with COVID-19 in South Australia.

Chief public well being officer Nicola Spurrier emphasised that the demise of a kid with COVID-19 was a “uncommon incidence”.

“It is extremely uncommon, however sadly it is a nasty virus,” she advised reporters a short while in the past.

“We will’t inform you what the precise reason behind demise is as a result of it is a case that has been referred to the Coroner.

“It is extremely tragic to must report this to South Australians right this moment, and completely my deepest sympathies to this baby’s household.”

Requested whether or not the kid had any pre-existing circumstances, Spurrier mentioned she might solely say the kid had been “beforehand nicely” and had skilled some “delicate respiratory signs”.

She highlighted that 89,098 youngsters below the age of 11 have examined optimistic for COVID-19 in South Australia since November 23.

“So it’s a very very uncommon factor to occur and we do have to see that in that context,” she mentioned.

“I do know that folks who’ve heard this information shall be fairly fearful and shall be involved that one thing might occur to their younger baby in the event that they catch COVID.

“The perfect factor households can do, as a result of we’re not vaccinating that age group, is to ensure all people else within the household is vaccinated.”

SA Well being additionally right this moment reported the deaths of a lady in her 90s, a person in his 70s, two males of their 80s and one man in his 90s over the previous 24 hours after testing optimistic for COVID-19.

9 COVID deaths had been reported on Wednesday, together with three girls aged of their 60s, 80s and over 100 and 6 males aged of their 70s, 80s and 90s.

All up, 491 folks with COVID-19 have died in SA for the reason that pandemic started.

The variety of new every day infections is as soon as once more edging nearer to 3000, with 2983 circumstances reported right this moment – up from 2429 yesterday.

Graph: SA HealthThere are at present 15,960 energetic circumstances in SA. Spurrier mentioned authorities are nonetheless “watching these numbers fairly carefully”.

The variety of COVID-positive hospital sufferers, in the meantime, has dropped from 246 yesterday to 222 right this moment.

Of these, eight are in intensive care and 138 have acquired three or extra vaccine doses.

Spurrier mentioned there have been 10 youngsters below the age of 9 in hospital with COVID-19.

“So given the big variety of circumstances in our state, we’ve solely obtained that small variety of youngsters that really have to be hospitalised,” she mentioned.

“However it’s a nasty virus and we shouldn’t underestimate it which is why we are going to preserve saying vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate.”

The newest genome sampling discovered 98.2 per cent of samples taken had been the BA.2 Omicron variant.

SA Well being mentioned that yesterday 9084 folks acquired a PCR take a look at in South Australia – a 39.2 per cent improve on the earlier 24 hours.

“Of the take a look at outcomes returned yesterday, 1,614 PCR assessments had been optimistic, whereas 1,369 optimistic Speedy Antigen Check outcomes had been reported,” it mentioned.

Just below 96 per cent of eligible South Australians aged 12 and over had acquired their first dose of the vaccine and 93.9 per cent had acquired their second dose.

Booster photographs have been administered to 72.8 per cent of eligible South Australians and 68.1 per cent of South Australians aged 16 and over.