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COVID-19 pandemic in South Australia

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COVID-19 pandemic in South Australia
DiseaseCOVID-19
Virus strainSARS-CoV-2
LocationSouth Australia, Australia
First outbreakWuhan, Hubei, China
Confirmed cases939,051 (as of 3 November 2023)
Active cases1,687 (as of 3 November 2023)
Hospitalised cases36 (as of 3 November 2023)
Critical cases4 (as of 3 November 2023)
Recovered935,740 (as of 3 November 2023)
Deaths
1,624 (as of 3 November 2023)
Fatality rate0.17%
Government website
www.covid-19.sa.gov.au

The COVID-19 pandemic in South Australia is part of the ongoing worldwide pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Timeline[edit]

A "pool closed" sign outside the Marion Outdoor Swimming Centre in Park Holme, South Australia, April 2020

2020[edit]

On 11 March, the SA state government announced its A$350 million economic stimulus measures.[1]

On 15 March, a public health emergency was declared in South Australia.[2]

On 22 March, a "major emergency" was declared, giving the police power to enforce self-isolation rules.[3]

On 24 March, state borders were closed. People arriving in the state were required to sign a declaration that they would self-isolate for 14 days and provide an address to the police, with penalties for failure to comply.[3][4]

On 27 March, a direction was made under the Emergency Management Act 2004[5] to prohibit gatherings of more than 10 people, and a limit of 1 person per four square metres.[6]

The African Nations Cup, a soccer tournament for African Australian players which had taken place in Adelaide annually since 2001, was cancelled.[7]

On 8 November the SA government announced that in the state budget it would double its coronavirus economic stimulus package to AU$4 billion.[8]

On 16 November, "a number of significant restrictions" were reintroduced after an outbreak of coronavirus in the northern suburbs of Adelaide.[9]

Woodville outbreak[edit]

On 18 November, a six-day lockdown from midnight that day was announced. Afterwards there was to be another eight days of "significant restrictions" according to Police Commissioner Grant Stevens.[10] On 21 November, Premier Steven Marshall announced that the state's "circuit breaker" restrictions would be ending three days earlier on 21 November after authorities discovered that one of the positive cases at the Woodville Pizza Bar coronavirus hotspot in the western Adelaide suburb of Woodville had misled contact tracers by concealing the fact that he worked at the shop. As part of the easing of "circuit breaker restrictions", groups of 50 people were allowed to attend private functions and funerals, ten people to attend private functions, and 100 people allowed to attend restaurants and pubs.[11][12]

2021[edit]

On 12 February 2021, the World Solar Challenge (SWC) for that year was cancelled by the SA Government.[13]

On 5 March 2021, the first Australian received the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. A doctor in regional South Australia, she was dosed at Murray Bridge Hospital.[14]

On 30 April, South Australia's first COVID-19 mass vaccination hub opened at Adelaide Showground.[15]

In mid-June, sniffer dogs were deployed on a trial basis at Adelaide Airport to detect people with COVID-19 infections.[16]

Due to a growing cluster in Bondi, Sydney, on 23 June South Australia "immediately" reinstated a hard border with NSW. No one who had been in NSW in the past 14 days was allowed entry to SA. A border buffer of 100 km was in place. Exemption were available for residents returning to SA, essential travellers, and special cases.[17][18]

On 28 June, from midnight, SA pre-emptively re-introduced a number of restrictions for at least 7 days:[19]

  • masks mandatory in high-risk settings
    • aged care homes,
    • hospitals and other "personal care settings"
    • indoor entertainment venues
  • not required, but highly recommended on public transport
  • In licensed premises:[19]
    • no "communal consumption"
    • no buffets
    • restrictions on shisha venues
  • Some restriction on singing.[19]

On 11 July, a 72-year-old woman with thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) died in Royal Adelaide Hospital. She was vaccinated with AstraZeneca on 24 June, then admitted on 5 July.[20]

On 19 July, from midnight "level 4" restrictions were introduced after a traveller from overseas (via quarantine and hospital in Sydney) and two close contacts all tested positive. The restrictions were due to be reviewed on 23 July.[21] Restrictions included:

  • indoor dining banned, only outdoor dining allowed
  • non-essential retail closed
  • gyms and indoor fitness facilities closed
  • contact sport cancelled
  • personal care services closed
  • Density requirements at indoor venues:
    • one person per four square metres
    • private gatherings capped at 10
  • Masks required for:[21]
    • high-risk settings
    • public transport
    • shared indoor spaces
  • Events requiring COVID management plans were cancelled.[21]

Lockdown[edit]

On 20 July, from 6pm, South Australia went into lockdown for 7 days. This was after a 5 case cluster of the Delta variant emerged linked to Modbury Hospital. By this date, approximately 3,000 people were in quarantine at home.[22] The only reasons to leave home were:[22]

  • essential work
  • care for someone
  • purchase essential goods-food,
  • exercise
    • only with people from the same household
    • within 2.5 kilometres of home
    • 90 minutes per day maximum
  • healthcare (including vaccination and COVID testing)
    • elective surgery on hold
  • Schools to close from 21 July
    • 24-hour transition period for teachers to arrange at-home learning
  • construction work to be halted.[22]

The lockdown led to panic buying, and the cancellations of AVCon, the Royal Adelaide Show, the Adelaide Beer and Barbeque Festival, Winter Reds wine festival and the Illuminate Adelaide festival.[23] The reopening of the Gawler railway line, originally set for November 2021, was also delayed to 12 June 2022, after being further delayed from a 30 April reopening by the state election.[24][25][26]

The lockdown ended on 27 July.[citation needed]

Suppression Phase[edit]

On 23 November, after the state hit 80% vaccination coverage for 16 and older, it opened its borders to the rest of the country, including New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT. This signalled a change from an elimination strategy to a suppression strategy in controlling the virus.[citation needed]

On 1 December, the state recorded its first two cases of community transmission since the borders opened, two men aged in their 50s. The next day on 2 December, it recorded another 18 new cases, 16 linked to a high school reunion in Norwood, Adelaide. The cases included former premier Jay Weatherill.[citation needed]

Omicron Variant[edit]

On 10 December, the Omicron variant was detected in two interstate travellers that came to South Australia. As a result, there were changes to the rules; travellers coming to SA from New South Wales and Victoria were now required to be tested on day 6 as well as on arrival. Several high-risk exposure sites were listed, where anyone who entered had to quarantine for 14 days.[27] These restrictions were eased on 14 and 15 December respectively.[28]

In mid-December it was discovered that an Adelaide teenager went to various venues knowing that he was COVID positive. He was subsequently charged by police.[29]

On 26 December a 94-year-old woman with COVID-19 died, the fifth COVID related death in SA, and the first in over 20 months. There were 842 new cases, raising the total cases to 5,162 since the pandemic began, with over 80% occurring since 23 November when SA repealed its border restrictions. 81% of the new cases were the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Among the new cases, 513 people were vaccinated, 117 unvaccinated, the rest unknown. SA had 3,974 active cases.[30]

Also on 26 December, after a week of exponentially rising case numbers, with over 80 percent believed to be caused by the Omicron variant, the government reintroduced certain restrictions. These included home gathering caps reduced from 30 to 10 people, and hospitality venues would have to reduce capacity to 25% indoors and 50% outdoors. Citizens were asked to reduce travel around the state, as health authorities were concerned about the variants ability to overwhelm the health system.[31]

On 30 December the death of a COVID-19 child under 2-years-old was reported, the sixth person with COVID to die in SA. There were 1,374 new cases, 37 cases in hospital, 4 in intensive care.[32]

Due to expected very hot weather, COVID testing sites were to close between 10:30am and 5:30pm on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some testing sites extended their evening hours.[32]

2022[edit]

On 7 January, 2 deaths were reported, raising the states' COVID related deaths to 10 in total. Both were women, one in her 60s, one her 90s.[33]
There were 3,707 new cases, raising to 31,513 the total confirmed cases, and there were 24,901 active cases.
144 cases were hospitalised, 16 in ICU, 1 on a ventilator.
Of those in hospital, 87 were fully vaccinated, 14 either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, and 43 were unknown.[33]

On 8 January, 5 deaths were reported, raising the states' COVID related deaths by 50% to 15 in total. There was: 1 in their 50s, 1 their 60s, 1 their 70s, and 2 in their 90s.
New cases that day were up ~40% to 4,274 from 3,707 the day before, and raising to nearly 36,000 the total confirmed cases.
164 cases (up ~15%) were hospitalised, 16 in ICU, 2 on a ventilator. 80% of ICU patients were un-vaccinated.[34]

On 9 January, 1 death was reported of a man in his 90s, raising the states' COVID related deaths to 16 in total.
New cases that day were 4,506, up ~5% from 4,274 the day before, and raising to about 40,000 the total confirmed cases, and there were 27,762 active cases.
176 cases were hospitalised, 18 in ICU, 2 on a ventilator.[35]

On 10 January, 2 deaths were reported: a woman in her 80s and a man in his 90s, raising the states' COVID related deaths to 16 in total.
New cases that day were 4,024, down ~11% from 4,506 the day before, and raising to about 44,000 the total confirmed cases, and there were 29,489 active cases.
188 cases were hospitalised, 121 in ICU, 4 on a ventilator. Of those in hospital, 107 were fully vaccinated, 18 either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, and 63 were unknown.[36]

On 12 January, 7 deaths were reported: 6 women, 1 in her 60s, 1 her 70s, 2 their 80s, and 2 their 90s; 1 man in his 90s, raising the states' COVID related deaths to 26 in total.
New cases were 3,715, down ~8% from 4,024 the day before, and raising to about 51,000 total confirmed cases, and there were 32,067 active cases.
190 cases were hospitalised, 27 in ICU, 6 on a ventilator. Of those in hospital, 108 were fully vaccinated, 18 either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, and 64 were unknown.[37]

On 15 January, 4 deaths were reported: 3 women, 1 in her 80s, 2 their 90s; 1 man in his 90s, raising the states' COVID related deaths to 40 total.[38]
New cases were 4,349, up ~17% from 3,715 the day before, and raising to about 64,266 total confirmed cases, and there were 34,725 active cases.[38]
246 cases were hospitalised, 26 in ICU, 7 on a ventilator. Of those in hospital, 129 were fully vaccinated, 34 either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, and 73 were unknown.[38]

On 18 January, 2 deaths were reported: a man in his 80s, a man in his 90s, raising the states' COVID related deaths to 44 total.[39]
New cases were 3,079, down ~30% from 4,349 the day before, and raising to about 73,918 total confirmed cases, and there were 32,530 active cases.[39]
285 cases were hospitalised, 24 in ICU, 5 on a ventilator. Of those in hospital, 151 were fully vaccinated, 43 either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, and 91 were unknown.[39]

On 25 January, 5 deaths were reported, 2 women, 1 in her 70s, 1 aged over 100; 3 men, 1 in his 80s, 2 their 90s. This raised to 74 the states' total of COVID related deaths.[40]
New cases were 1,869, raising to about 93,165 total confirmed cases, and there were 30,641 active cases.[40]
287 cases were hospitalised, 32 in ICU, 5 on a ventilator. Of those in hospital, 164 were fully vaccinated, 45 either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, and 78 were unknown.[40]

Event cancellations[edit]

Statistics[edit]

COVID-19 cumulative cases in South Australia[58]

COVID-19 daily cases in South Australia[58]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Dayman, Isabel (11 March 2020). "New coronavirus cases confirmed as SA Premier announces $350m stimulus package". www.abc.net.au. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  2. ^ Keane, Daniel (15 March 2020). "Coronavirus prompts declaration of public health emergency in South Australia". ABC News. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "South Australia to close borders and require all arrivals to self-isolate". 9 News. 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  4. ^ Wills, Daniel; Smith, Matt; Hough, Andrew (22 March 2020). "Premier Steven Marshall will isolate SA as coronavirus surges". The Advertiser. Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Emergency Management Act 2004". South Australian Legislation. Government of South Australia. Attorney-General's Dept. 27 March 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  6. ^ "Prohibited Gatherings of People in South Australia (New Declaration COVID-19)". South Australia Police. 27 March 2020. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  7. ^ Slessor, Camron (11 November 2021). "African Nations Cup returns to South Australia in celebration of culture, community and football". ABC News. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  8. ^ "SA Budget to include 'single biggest' stimulus to help businesses through pandemic". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 8 November 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  9. ^ Martin, Patrick (16 November 2020). "Coronavirus restrictions to be reintroduced in SA from midnight, but no cluster growth". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  10. ^ Siebert, Benson; Brice, Rebecca (18 November 2020). "South Australia ordered into major six-day lockdown amid COVID-19 outbreak". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  11. ^ Dillon, Meagan; Boisvert, Eugene (20 November 2020). "South Australia to end coronavirus lockdown three days early after pizza worker's 'lie'". ABC News. Archived from the original on 20 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  12. ^ Bermingham, Kathryn (21 November 2020). "Covid 19 coronavirus: South Australia comes out of lockdown early after lie discovered". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b "2021 Challenge Update". worldsolarchallenge.org. South Australian Tourist Commission. 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 12 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021. The 16th edition of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge will not go ahead from 22–30 October this year.
  14. ^ "South Australian doctor receives first AstraZeneca vaccination shot in Australia". www.abc.net.au. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  15. ^ "First South Australian mass COVID-19 vaccination hub opens at Adelaide Showground, with bookings essential". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 30 April 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  16. ^ "Dogs deployed to sniff out coronavirus cases among airport arrivals". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 17 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  17. ^ Noble, Freya; Pearson, Nick (24 June 2021). "State-by-state travel restrictions as NSW outbreak grows". 9News. Nine Digital Pty Ltd. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  18. ^ Nguyen, Kevin (24 June 2021). "Bondi COVID-19 cluster rises to 36 cases after NSW Health records 11 new infections". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  19. ^ Jump up to: a b c Fedorowytsch, Tom; Tomevska, Sara; Keane, Daniel (28 June 2021). "SA reimposes sweeping social restrictions amid coronavirus outbreaks". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  20. ^ "South Australian woman dies from rare blood clots after receiving AstraZeneca vaccine". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  21. ^ Jump up to: a b c MacLennan, Leah; Opie, Rebecca; Keane, Daniel (19 July 2021). "SA significantly intensifies restrictions as traveller and two contacts test positive for COVID-19". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  22. ^ Jump up to: a b c "South Australia 'moves into lockdown' after five COVID cases associated with Modbury Hospital cluster". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  23. ^ Keane, Daniel; Rebecca, Opie (20 July 2021). "SA's COVID-19 lockdown will hit businesses hard, but the Premier is promising support". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  24. ^ "SA's COVID-19 lockdown blamed for another delay to Gawler train line electrification". ABC News. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  25. ^ "Another Gawler Line blow-out with city train network to close for Adelaide Fringe opening". 24 January 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  26. ^ "Free substitute buses on Adelaide's Gawler train line as delays to electrification work revealed". 2 April 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  27. ^ Crouch, Brad; Sulda, Dixie (9 December 2021). "Eight new cases, two suspected to be Omicron". Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  28. ^ "South Australia records highest daily COVID-19 total since April 2020, as international quarantine time cut". ABC News. 15 December 2021.
  29. ^ "Man arrested for allegedly ignoring COVID-positive result and staying at Adelaide nightclub". ABC News. 27 December 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  30. ^ "Elderly woman becomes SA's fifth person to die with COVID as state records 842 new cases". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 27 December 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  31. ^ "'Disaster after disaster': SA government under fire as state again sets new COVID caseload record". ABC News. 26 December 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  32. ^ Jump up to: a b Pestrin, Stacey; Harmsen, Nick; Manfield, Evelyn (30 December 2021). "Baby with COVID-19 dies in South Australia, state records 1,374 new cases". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  33. ^ Jump up to: a b "COVID-19 Update 7 January 2022". www.covid-19.sa.gov.au. Government of South Australia. 7 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  34. ^ Garcia, Sara; Dayman, Isabel (8 January 2022). "SA records five deaths, as hospitalisations also rise with 16 people in ICU". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  35. ^ "COVID-19 Update 9 January 2022". www.covid-19.sa.gov.au. Government of South Australia. 9 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  36. ^ "COVID-19 Update 10 January 2022". www.covid-19.sa.gov.au. Government of South Australia. 10 January 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  37. ^ "COVID-19 Update 12 January 2022". www.covid-19.sa.gov.au. Government of South Australia. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  38. ^ Jump up to: a b c "COVID-19 Update 15 January 2022". www.covid-19.sa.gov.au. Government of South Australia. 15 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  39. ^ Jump up to: a b c "COVID-19 Update 18 January 2022". www.covid-19.sa.gov.au. Government of South Australia. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  40. ^ Jump up to: a b c "COVID-19 Update 25 january 2022". www.covid-19.sa.gov.au. Government of South Australia. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  41. ^ "SANFL UPDATE RE CORONAVIRUS". SANFL. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  42. ^ "COVID-19 Update – 13/03/20". Basketball SA. Archived from the original on 4 April 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  43. ^ "COVID-19 Update – NBL1 Central 14/03/20". Basketball SA. Archived from the original on 4 April 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  44. ^ "SA Schools Head of the River – CANCELLED". rowingsa.asn.au. Rowing South Australia. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  45. ^ "Royal Adelaide Show cancelled during coronavirus pandemic". 7NEWS.com.au. 14 April 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  46. ^ "Coronavirus forces cancellation of Royal Adelaide Show to protect public health". .abc.net.au/. 14 April 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  47. ^ "Royal Adelaide Show cancelled due to ongoing coronavirus restrictions, Premier Steven Marshall says". abc.net.au/. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  48. ^ "Royal Adelaide Show set to make dazzling comeback after COVID hiatus | 7NEWS". YouTube.
  49. ^ Bradbrook, Sam; Stephens, Matt (19 August 2021). "Riverland Field Days cancelled again despite early hope it would go ahead". ABC Riverland. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  50. ^ "How Australians marked New Year's Eve in a year dominated by COVID-19". ABC News. Australia. 1 January 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2021. Coronavirus restrictions have largely determined how millions of people across Australia have seen in 2021.
  51. ^ "COVID-19 leads to cancellation of Tour Down Under cycling race for second year running". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 30 September 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  52. ^ Marsh, Walter (4 May 2020). "OzAsia Festival appoints new artistic director following 2020 program cancellation". The Adelaide Review. Opinion Media. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  53. ^ "OzAsia Festival forced to cancel five shows". InDaily. Solstice Media. 17 September 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  54. ^ Henson, Elizabeth (16 March 2020). "Two new coronavirus cases as Anzac Day parade cancelled". Adelaide Now. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  55. ^ "Coronavirus ends Adelaide 500 supercar race with contract not renewed by SA Government". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 29 October 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  56. ^ "Bay to Birdwood Programs 1980-2020". Bay to Birdwood. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  57. ^ Hams, Shari (21 June 2022). "New life for vintage cars turning electric in return of South Australia's annual Bay to Birdwood Run". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  58. ^ Jump up to: a b "Cases: States and Territories". covid19data.com.au. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
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