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Health

South Australia records three COVID-linked deaths and 1,266 new cases

The number of active COVID cases continued to fall. (AAP: Mariuz)

South Australia has recorded three COVID-linked deaths in the most recent reporting period, and 1,266 new cases of the virus.

Premier Steven Marshall said the number of active cases had dipped below 19,000.

"Unfortunately, I do have three deaths to report but I don't have the age range for them," Mr Marshall said.

SA Health said the deaths were a woman in her 90s, a man in his 80s and a man in his 90s.

There are 273 people in hospital — compared with 281 yesterday — which the Premier said was the lowest figure in some weeks.

There are also three fewer people in intensive care, which now stands at 22, and five people are on ventilators.

The number of active cases in South Australia peaked at more than 35,000 last month, but that number has continued to decline.

"We now have fewer than 19,000 active cases in South Australia – in fact 18,928 – so this is another milestone," Mr Marshall said.

"The number of positive cases in South Australia is down further to 1,266.

"This is a very, very significant fall from where we were even just a few days ago."

SA Premier Steven Marshall speaks at Modbury Hospital. (ABC News: Ben Pettitt)

To ease pressure on the health system after SA's eastern borders reopened in November, the government halted certain types of elective surgery.

But the Premier today indicated the ban could be eased imminently.

"I think we're very close now to making an announcement with regards to the resumption of elective surgery in South Australia," he said.

"We'll be announcing our plans probably later today."

Today marks two years since the state recorded its first coronavirus cases, and the Premier praised the response of the public.

"Most South Australians can feel a great sense of pride in the way that we have worked together to tackle something which has, unfortunately, led to 5.6 million people losing their lives around the world," he said.

"In South Australia the number, of course, is too high – 120 people have lost their lives in South Australia since the beginning of the coronavirus."

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