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Health

South Australia records two more COVID-19 deaths and 1,633 new positive cases

SA Premier Steven Marshall says the state is now past the Omicron peak.  (ABC News)

Two men in their 80s have died from COVID-19 in South Australia as the state recorded 1,633 new positive cases — the lowest figure this year.

There are six more people in hospital for a total of 289, but ICU or ventilation figures are not yet available.

During a press conference on Sunday, SA Premier Steven Marshall said the state was now past the peak and the community was in the "recovery" phase.

"We are past that peak, we are in the recovery stage at the moment, we are reducing those restrictions," he said. 

"We currently have 20,569 active cases, again the lowest we have had for a very, very long period of time.

"It's very likely tomorrow we will go below that 20,000 mark for the first time in weeks and weeks. 

"A good day, a continuing downward trajectory for positive cases, a massive upward trajectory in terms of those people recovered."

Some students will return to face-face learning this week.  (ABC Riverland: Catherine Heuzenroeder)

Mr Marshall said there was not expected to be a second peak in COVID-19 cases as a result of some students returning to the classroom on Monday.

"We might see a change in the median age for positive cases as schools go back, we envisage that it could actually start to lower," he said. 

From Monday, schools will open for vulnerable students and children of "essential workers".

Formal classes will begin on February 2, in person for reception and years 1, 7, 8 and 12, with students in the other grades learning from home for a fortnight.

Mr Marshall said there was an abundance of vaccination appointments available.

"There is a massive excess supply of appointments for vaccinations, in fact, supply is greater than demand, a big switch around from where we were three or four weeks ago," he said. 

"We are particularly keen to get those five to 11-year-olds."

"There have been thousands of appointments which have gone begging in recent weeks." 

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