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AAP
AAP
Health
Tim Dornin

Virus surges in SA with 2552 new cases

SA Premier Steven Marshall says a new definition of a close contact provides clarity for people. (AAP)

Coronavirus cases and hospitalisations continue to rise in South Australia with 2552 new infections reported on Monday.

Premier Steven Marshall says 94 people are now in hospital, up from 82 on Sunday.

Nine of those are in intensive care but none are on ventilators.

The number of cases within the state's prison population has also grown to 90.

Mr Marshall says efforts are continuing to try to slow the spread of the Omicron variant, which includes putting people into isolation where necessary.

"Nobody wants to get COVID, so putting people who are very, very likely to have it into isolation is the right thing to do," he said on Monday.

As such, SA has moved to clarify the definition of close contacts which will now include anyone who has face-to-face, unmasked indoor contact with a COVID-19 positive case for more than 15 minutes.

The premier said it was very likely that people in those circumstances would test positive for the virus.

The revised definition in in addition to those people who are close contacts as family members or intimate partners or those people considered at higher risk because they attended a specific venue.

All close contacts are required to isolate and get tested.

"This is the final piece of the puzzle, the final piece of advice people have been looking for," Mr Marshall said.

"I think this provides the clarity that people have been seeking."

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