South Australia’s COVID hospitalizations have hit a new record as students prepare to return to school tomorrow with mask recommendations from the state’s top doctor.
Key Points:
- More than 370 COVID patients in SA hospitals, highest since pandemic began
- But daily cases of COVID have dropped
- Students in their third year or above are encouraged to wear masks indoors
Meanwhile, a woman in her 90s has died of the virus as daily cases of COVID fell to 3,340 on Sunday.
Currently, 374 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, an increase of 20 patients since Thursday.
Twelve people are in intensive care among 28,201 active cases statewide.
Students in Years 3-12 are advised to wear face masks indoors when they start term three tomorrow.
The Department for Education and the director of public health, Nicola Spurrier, have written a letter to public schools recommending the use of masks, but did not make it mandatory.
SA Health is sending nurses to Coober Pedy Hospital after staff were hit by COVID.
More doctors and nurses for WCH
The South Australian Government will fast-track the recruitment of more specialist doctors and nurses for the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
Sixteen new doctors will be hired in the coming months instead of the 10 planned for this year.
12 more specialist nurses with training in mental health and cancer care will be hired.
The last state budget allocated $65.4 million to hire more than 100 doctors and $23.9 million for 300 nurses over four years.
South Australian Health Minister Chris Picton announces more doctors and nurses will be recruited for the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. (ABC News: Che Chorley)
Health Minister Chris Picton says the recruitment drive will help ease the pressure on frontline workers.
“By bringing some of this recruitment forward, we are confident that we could bring some of these expert doctors into the system to help our sickest and most vulnerable children in South Australia sooner,” Mr Picton said.
Meanwhile, ambulance workers in South Australia will receive their first pay rise since 2017.
The new deal will see annual pay rises of 2.5 per cent past December 2018 after 97 per cent of SA Ambulance Service employees back the deal.