In this issue
COVID-19
- Outbreaks in communities continue
- Infections to rise again with a new dominant strain
- New resources: what happens if you have COVID-19?
- Accessing health support for COVID-19
COVID-19 Vaccine
- Vaccination rates for the Aboriginal population
- The importance of COVID-19 vaccination in kids aged 5-11
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Outbreaks in communities continue
There are currently 749 Aboriginal South Australians with active COVID-19 infections, (130 of these people are linked to remote and regional communities).
A total of 8,299 Aboriginal people have had COVID-19 since the border opened in November, 2021, which is 24% of South Australia’s Aboriginal/Torres Strait population.
There are currently 20 communities with active cases including: Adelaide metro
- APY Lands (Indulkana, Mimili, Pipalyatjara, Pukatja)
- Berri
- Ceduna
- Coober Pedy
- Mt Gambier
- Murray Bridge
- Port Augusta
- Raukkan
- Renmark
- Scotdesco
- Therenard
- Umuwa
- Whyalla
- Wudinna
- Yalata
It’s more important than ever that we continue doing the simple things that keep us safe – reducing the risk of catching and spreading the virus in the community.
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Infections to rise again with a new dominant strain
With the new COVID-19 Omicron variant BA.2. now dominating (70%), the number of people infected with COVID-19 is expected to rise and re-infections are also more likely.
Protect yourself and your mob from getting sick and remember:
- if you have COVID-19 symptoms, get a PCR test and stay at home until you receive your result.
- get up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine.
- continue to practice COVID safe behaviours, including hand washing, wearing a mask indoors when in public, physical distancing (staying 2 steps away) from others, covering coughs and sneezes, staying away from others if you’re unwell and not sharing food, drinks and smokes where possible.
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New resources: What happens if you have COVID-19?
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New posters and fact sheets are now available to help you understand what happens if you have COVID-19. Share them with friends, family and community.
Find the complete collection on the Aboriginal communities and COVID-19 resources webpage.
Poster: What happens if you have COVID-19?
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Fact Sheet: What happens if you have COVID-19?
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Fact Sheet: How to self-isolate at home?
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Accessing health support for COVID-19
If you have COVID-19 and need health support, reach out to your doctor, health care worker or call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080.
If you have severe symptoms, such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000) and advise that you have COVID-19.
For more information, visit www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVIDpositive.
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Vaccine update: COVID-19 vaccination rates
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The latest data for South Australia shows 78% of the state’s Aboriginal population aged 12 years and older has had their first dose and 35% of 5 to 11 year olds have had their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
If you haven’t had your COVID-19 vaccine yet and would like to ask questions and get vaccinated, clinics are still open.
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The importance of COVID-19 vaccination in kids aged 5-11
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All children aged 5 years and over can be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Children with weaker immune systems or health conditions like heart disease, lung problems, diabetes, being above a healthy weight, and disorders like epilepsy are at greater risk of getting very sick or needing to go to hospital if they catch COVID-19. They are also at risk of long-term effects from COVID-19.
Vaccination will help protect your child, your family and the community and help stop the spread of COVID-19. It will also reduce your child’s risk of becoming very sick.
Children can have the paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and the half dose Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. For the best protection, children should have 2 doses, 8 weeks apart.
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South Australian COVID-19 Cases
As at 24 March 2022,
Aboriginal population
- 749 people have active infections of COVID-19.
- 8,299 people have had COVID-19.*
- 7 people have sadly passed away from COVID-19 in total.*
Whole of SA population
- 27,309 people tested positive for COVID-19 in the last week.
- 222,149 people tested positive for COVID-19 in total.**
- 242 people have sadly passed away from COVID-19 in total.**
* since the borders opened on 23 November 2021.
** since the pandemic started in South Australia in January 2020.
Follow us on Facebook for daily updates on cases, testing and vaccinations.
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More information
SA Health is your trusted source for information on COVID-19. For more information visit our website and follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
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