SA records 4349 new COVID-19 cases, peak of outbreak expected in coming days

South Australia has recorded 4349 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, with the peak of the state’s outbreak expected to be hit in coming days.

Another four deaths of people with the virus have been reported today, while the number of people hospitalised with COVID-19 dropped overnight to 236, down from 246.

Of the hospitalisations, 26 are in intensive care, with seven on ventilators.

READ MORE: Victoria’s COVID-19 hospitalisations pass 1000 as number of new cases drops

Premier Steven Marshall the number of health staff in isolation had risen to 918, including 567 who were positive for the virus.

Mr Marshall said he was hopeful the state would “hit the peak in the next couple of days”.

“I’m very hopeful that we are at that peak – or almost at that peak,” he said.

Yesterday Mr Marshall revealed the peak of the Omicron outbreak in South Australia was expected to be between January 15 and 25.

“The range in terms of that peak is going to be between 6000 and 10,000 cases per day,” he said.

Issues reported at age care facilities

Mr Marshall said he had heard reports that residents at aged care centres were saying they were being denied visitors and not allowed out of their rooms.

The premier reiterated that there was no limits on visitors to aged care facilities if 70 per cent of residents were vaccinated.

“That is basically every single aged care facility,” he said.

Mr Marshall said visitation was only being halted at facilities with COVID-19 outbreaks.

He said he had asked for further advice to be given to aged care facilities and that he be given a briefing on the situation in aged care facilities on Monday.

“This is a precarious situation.”