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Health

No new coronavirus cases in SA as Victorian border opens

Two people embrace at Adelaide Airport this morning as they are reunited after several months of a SA-Victoria border closure.

South Australian health authorities say no new coronavirus cases have been recorded in the last 24 hours, as the state reopens its border to incoming travellers from Victoria.

However, authorities have added an old case to the state's tally, which was not publicly reported at the time it was identified.

The woman was an international traveller who tested positive for COVID-19 while in a medi-hotel, and has since been cleared of the virus.

Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said the case was not reported at the time because authorities were focused on informing the public about the Parafield cluster, and because the timing of the daily media updates changed.

"This case was an overseas arrival who came in on the 15th of November. She was in a medi-hotel at the time when we had the positive case result," Professor Spurrier said.

"We've put in practice everything we needed to put in place for this particular person and she's had all of the essential medical follow-up.

"She is not at all linked to the cluster and has since been cleared of the virus and has now left the medi-hotel."

The number of cases linked to the Parafield cluster remains at 33, and 1,100 people are still in quarantine.

There are now 11 active cases in South Australia.

About 6,500 tests were undertaken yesterday and authorities are still urging people to get tested if they have any symptoms.

"It is really over to the public [now], going out and getting tested," Professor Spurrier said.

"We have put in place so many testing opportunities — we have tried to make it as comfortable as possible, particularly at the showground [testing station].

"I urge every South Australian and, even though this should be a day of great celebration — the Victorian borders are up, now we have got the QR codes reader system in place, which is really a game changer for us — if you're not feeling well, go and get tested."

Meanwhile, Adelaide Airport welcomed planes from Victoria this morning for the first time in months.

Ash McCall was one of the South Australians excitedly waiting for their loved ones to arrive from Melbourne at the airport.

He said he and girlfriend Harriet had been keeping in touch over social media and through video calls while she was in Melbourne, studying her first year of nursing.

"It is what it is — we both just had the strength to push through and wait for this day," Mr McCall said.

QR code app launches — with tech glitches

The mySA GOV app was updated overnight to include a feature allowing it to be used to scan QR codes at businesses and other venues to help with contact-tracing efforts.

Venues with a COVID-Safe Plan will be required to display the codes for customers to check-in, as well as a paper alternative, from today.

However, problems with Apple's version of the app prevented users from updating it until this afternoon, when the new version appeared in the App Store.

People without the app can use their cameras to scan QR codes in the meantime, which will link them to the website.

"I think people will become accustomed to be QR codes as we roll this out more effectively," SA Police Commissioner Stevens said.

"It is going to be preferable to filling out a handwritten sheet every single time."

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