Coronavirus: What we know today, May 3
Follow this post for rolling updates on the impact of the coronavirus in South Australia, the nation and the world, as well as the latest health information and links to official advice.
Social restrictions are beginning to lift. Photo: AAP/David Mariuz
Refresh this page for updates – scroll down for links to official health information.
KEY POINTS
- SA reaches 11 days of no new cases
- Councils given green light to reopen playgrounds
- Less people in EDs, seeing GPs in SA
- National picture in brief
- UK coronavirus death toll passes 28,000
No new cases – again
South Australia recorded its eleventh day of no new coronavirus infections today, with the state’s total cases sitting at 438.
SA Health confirmed that 427 people or 98 per cent have recovered from COVID-19 in South Australia.
Only seven active cases remain in the state, with three people undergoing treatment in hospital.
Almost 1000 tests were conducted across the state yesterday, adding to the state’s total of more than 60,000 tests.
It comes as the State Government has formed a transition committee that will focus on navigating South Australia out of the coronavirus lockdown.
Chaired by the head of the Department for Premier and Cabinet Jim McDowell, the committee will investigate what restrictions should be eased and in what order.
Premier Steven Marshall said it was important to relax restrictions in a controlled manner.
“We need to ease those restrictions, but in a way where we don’t go backwards as a state,” he said.
“One of the things we are very keen to do is to avoid the sore tooth approach where we ease restrictions back, only to put them in place again a few weeks later.
“It would really affect the psyche of the people of South Australia.”
Source: Department of Health, States and Territories Report
SA councils given green light to reopen playgrounds
Playgrounds and skate parks across the state will be reopened this week, as South Australia prepares to lift further social restrictions.
SA chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier has written to the state’s 68 councils to encourage them to reopen the recreational areas.
In a letter obtained by the Sunday Mail, she said the decision would “further contribute to the health and wellbeing of our children”.
“Done safely, I strongly believe that the reopening of parks and playgrounds will send a message to our community that our collective efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 have been worthwhile,” the letter said.
“Currently in SA, cases of COVID-19 have been sustained at very low levels, and there is no current evidence of community transmission.
“As a result, the risk of COVID-19 transmission for outdoor park playground equipment is low and can be managed by following important social-distancing and hygiene precautions.”
The Local Government Association will work with councils to ensure the play areas are safe to use.
Less people in EDs, seeing GPs in SA
Less South Australians are appearing in emergency departments and visiting general practitioners during the COVID-19 crisis and are urged to seek medical advice if needed.
Dr Cusack says “worrying” data from SA Pathology shows fewer tests for routine check-ups, like those with diabetes, were conducted.
“As we approach winter, we need people to keep in contact with their doctors and ensure they have their chronic diseases and any issues they have checked,” he said.
The data also suggests less people with symptoms or with a proven heart attack presented in emergency departments.
“We can’t say for sure if it’s because they’re having less heart attacks or if they’re staying home with heart attack symptoms.
“If people do have these symptoms… they need to call for help immediately.”
National picture in brief
Key numbers
- 6783 cases have been recorded in Australia after 16 fresh cases overnight.
- Of 994 are still active cases, 79 people are in hospital with 28 in intensive care.
- 611,583 people have been tested in Australia, out of a population of 25.7 million.
- The death toll is 93 – NSW 41, Victoria 18, Tasmania 13, WA eight, Queensland six, SA four, ACT three.
- Queensland health officials have issued a public health alert after a Qantas flight passenger was diagnosed with COVID-19.
- More than 4 million people have registered with the federal government’s tracking app COVIDSafe since Sunday.
UK coronavirus death toll passes 28,000
The UK’s COVID-19 death toll has risen by 621 to 28,131 as of May 1, just short of Italy.
As Britain shadows Italy for the grim status of being the worst-hit country in Europe, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing criticism from opposition parties who say his government stumbled in the early stages of the outbreak.
The US has had 64,740 deaths, followed by Italy with 28,710 and the UK on 28,131 and then Spain on 25,100, according to a Reuters tally.
Italy, which has a population of 60 million, said its death toll rose 474 as of Saturday. The UK has a population of about 67 million.
OFFICIAL SOURCES OF ADVICE AND INFORMATION
Local updates and resources
State Government central information
Mental health support line (8am to 8pm): 1800 632 753.
National advice and information
Australian Government Coronavirus information hotline: 1800 020 080
Government information via WhatsApp: click here
Travel
Australian Government travel advice: smartraveller.gov.au
Check your symptoms
Free, government-funded, health advice: healthdirect.gov.au
– Reporting by InDaily staff, AAP and Reuters
This article is supported by the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas.
