South Australia's Premier Steven Marshall is promising this year’s Fringe festival will be "safe" from COVID, but the event's director has said it will not be financially safe until more funding is forthcoming.
The state today recorded another three COVID-19 deaths, taking the total to 162 since the start of the pandemic.
They were two women in their 60s and a man in his 50s.
A total of 1,440 people tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, a decrease of 184 on the previous day's numbers.
The number of people in hospital with the disease is 221, while 13 remain in intensive care.
Premier Steven Marshall provided the daily update at a media event for this year's Adelaide Fringe festival, which begins tomorrow.
"Unfortunately I do need to report that we had three deaths we need to report over the past 24 hours. We've had 1,440 cases," he said.
"Those numbers will bounce around a bit."
The 1,440 figure is the second highest since last Friday.
SA Health named two high-risk exposure sites — Roxie's Beer Garden on Grenfell Street in Adelaide's CBD last Friday night and the Marina Sunset Bar in Glenelg last Friday and Saturday night.
People who have been at the two locations need to monitor for symptoms.
Amid concerns Fringe shows could act as COVID superspreaders, Mr Marshall said current restrictions would ensure the Fringe had adequate safeguards and that there was "more and more outdoor activity".
"It's safe to come out to the Fringe," he said.
"SA Health have been working with the Adelaide Fringe and all of the venues on their COVID management plans. There are COVID marshalls, it's safe, people will be QR code checking in," he said.
SA has a higher proportion of active cases in hospital than some other states, but Mr Marshall said that might be due to other states having "a slightly different threshold for admission into hospital".
"We were up around 300 people in hospital if we go back two or three weeks ago, we're now down in the low 200s," he said.
"We would like to see that go down even further but we are satisfied with where we are."
The Premier said "significant restrictions" on social activities would remain in place for the time being, in order to avert "a damaging second wave with Omicron".
Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier stressed the need to "stay safe" at the Fringe and other events during Adelaide's February and mad March festival season.
"My team in COVID management have been working very closely with all of the organisers for these large events," Professor Spurrier said.
"Many [Fringe venues] are in tents — there'll be a separate entrance and a separate exit, again trying to reduce the congestion and keep people safe."
Fringe director breaks down during funding plea
Fringe director Heather Croall was "so excited" to announce the "show will go on", but said "lots of outdoor activity" would help mitigate risk.
"This has definitely been the hardest year by far," she said.
"We've got amphitheatres, laneways, tents that have had their roofs taken off, promenade theatre, all things that make it easier to do outdoor shows."
Over 6,000 artists are taking part in 1,000 shows at 350 venues.
"Most venues are working at 75 per cent capacity, so people will have to wear masks," she said.
Ms Croall became emotional when she discussed Fringe funding, breaking down into tears.
Labor today promised an $8 million funding boost for the Fringe, should the party win the upcoming March state election.
The Premier ruled out matching the initiative "at this stage", saying the government had already increased investment.
But Ms Croall urged "all political parties" to get behind moves to boost financial support.
"We have been fighting through this pandemic so hard to make sure we can give money to artists and venues," she said, before momentarily stopping.
"I'm sorry, because it is a heartfelt battle we have been driving.
