South Australia's Acting Premier says she is "alarmed" at the increasing number of people with COVID-19 occupying hospital beds, as the number approaches the figure that could lead to bringing back a state of emergency declaration.
SA Health says 287 people with COVID-19 are in hospital, a jump of 21 from yesterday.
South Australia recorded 3,863 new cases today — down from the past three days and much lower than the up to 6,000 predicted by modelling released last week.
Three deaths were reported, including a man in his 30s and two men in their 80s.
Commissioner Stevens said last week that more than 300 people in hospital with COVID-19 could lead to a "conversation" about whether a state of emergency should be reinstated.
The previous state of emergency was revoked in May.
Speaking after attending this morning's national cabinet meeting, Acting Premier Susan Close said she was concerned about the number of people in hospital with COVID-19.
She said the state government would look at moving NDIS patients out hospitals, including to aged care, moving patients from Adelaide to regional hospitals and deferring or delaying elective surgeries.
"These are not big numbers, but every single hospital bed will make a difference and we're exploring every avenue," she said.
State agrees to help fund pandemic payments
National cabinet decided to reinstate emergency pandemic leave payments until the end of September because of rising case numbers associated with the new, more infectious BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants.
Along with other state and territory governments, the South Australian government will fund half the cost of the payments.
"That means that people who aren't able to use sick leave will be able to have support in order to undertake the isolation required," Dr Close said.
"We must not have a disincentive for people to find if they have it and isolate if they do."
The state government will fund free RAT kits for concession holders from August 1 — when federal funding is set to end — until September 30, but people will have to pick them up from a RAT collection site — such as the one in the southern Adelaide Parklands — rather than a pharmacy.
Australian Medical Association national vice-president Chris Moy urged people to get a nasal swab test if possible and to avoid going out if they felt sick, even if the illness was not COVID-19.
Call to wear masks but no mandate
The Illuminate Adelaide and Adelaide Guitar Festivals are expected to reach their peak this weekend, with the Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival also being held from Friday to Sunday.
University of South Australia epidemiologist Adrian Esterman urged people to wear masks at the events.
He said research showed wearing masks was the most direct way to cut the rate of new COVID-19 cases.
"It could cause a drop of 10 per cent in transmission," he said.
"My own sort of gut feeling is it could actually be better than that because there are several studies that show it could cause a drop of 30 per cent in transmission."
An Emergency Management Council subcommittee meeting of South Australia's cabinet will be held on Tuesday, however Dr Close said a wider mask mandate would not be imposed.
Masks are currently required in South Australia in healthcare settings, pharmacies and on public transport.
