Data released by SA Health today showed 8410 people received a PCR test in South Australia over the past week – a 31 per cent decrease on the previous week.

The number of new cases also dropped with 1494 new infections reported over the past week, down from 2053 the previous week.

There were 14 COVID-19 deaths reported in the past week, including one person aged under 70 years. This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in South Australia to 1235.

As of Thursday, there were 74 people with COVID-19 in hospital, including two in ICU.

COVID-19 testing sites are still open at Bedford Park, Walkley Heights, Port Adelaide, Frome Road and some regional sites. PCR testing is available at these sites without a GP referral.

Nationally, COVID-19 cases continued to trend downwards, with the number of virus-related hospitalisations also decreasing.

Federal health department data released on Friday showed an almost 27 per cent decrease in average daily infections in the week to January 24 compared to the previous week.

The number of average daily cases was 3168, continuing a downward trend since late December.

COVID-19 hospitalisations and intensive care admissions were also down, with drops of 16.9 per cent and 26.2 per cent respectively in the week to January 24 compared to the previous week.

COVID-related deaths decreased from 131 to 94 in NSW and from 156 to 149 in Victoria.

Australia’s medical regulator announced earlier this week it had given a provisional green light to the first COVID-19 booster shot for two Omicron variants.

The Pfizer jab, which targets the BA.4 and BA.5 variants, will be available to those aged 12 and over.

The rollout of the vaccine is yet to be ticked off, with the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation due to provide advice to the government in coming weeks.

– with AAP