South Australia has reported another drop in COVID-19 infections as the state government moves to head off a possible strike by teachers on the first day of the new school year.
SA reported 1869 new infections on Tuesday, its lowest daily tally this year, along with five more deaths.
Hospital admissions have also dropped slightly to 287 with 32 in intensive care where five people remain on ventilators.
Premier Steven Marshall said among those in hospital, 63 were admitted for other health reasons.
The fall in new virus cases came after teachers voted in favour of strike action on the first day of term amid ongoing concerns over the government's plans to deal with COVID-19 outbreaks in schools.
The Australian Education Union said a ballot of its members returned an almost two-thirds majority in favour of the strike on February 2 after it previously advocated for a two-week delay in the start of the school year.
But it said some things had changed since the vote was taken after constructive negotiations with the state government.
The AEU executive will meet on Tuesday to consider the government's response to issues including the ongoing safety of students and staff and whether its plans will slow the spread of the virus.
"If the executive believes sufficient progress has been made then members will be re-balloted to postpone the action," the union said in a statement.
"Conversely, if the executive is dissatisfied then the action will remain on foot pending any timely additional progress in discussions."
Mr Marshall said the government was doing everything it could to avoid the strike with Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier meeting with union officials.
"We're in respectful negotiations," the premier said.
"I'm hopeful we can have a successful meeting and provide them with all of the information they require."
Under the government's plan, schools will be open from 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 classes from February 14 after two weeks of online learning.
There will be no widespread rapid antigen testing for students or teachers, although teachers will be provided with tests if they are considered a close contact of a positive case.
If they test negative they will be able to continue teaching.
