South Australia has recorded 13 new COVID-19-related deaths, the equal highest number of deaths reported in a 24-hour period.
Like yesterday, the newly announced deaths included deaths from previous days that had only been today reported as a person who had COVID-19.
The total number of people who have died with COVID-19 in South Australia since the start of the pandemic is now 100.
SA Health said those who died were a man in his 50s, a man in his 70s, two men in their 80s, two men in their 90s, two women in their 60s, two women in their 70s, one woman in her 80s and two women in their 90s
The state recorded 1,953 new COVID cases in the past 24 hours – 448 fewer than yesterday.
Premier Steven Marshall said the figure was significantly below the state's seven-day average.
There has been no change to the number of people in hospital with COVID-19, which remains at 288.
One more person has been admitted to intensive care bringing the number to 27.
There are now five people on ventilators, an increase of one person since yesterday.
"We are well within our total capacity in terms of intensive care, in terms of people on ventilators," Mr Marshall said.
The Premier said while he did not have the numbers on how many people had recovered, he expected it had increased, as per previous days.
"I expect it to be a continuation of where we've been in recent days with more people recovering than are becoming newly infected," he said.
"[It's] another sign that we are at or now past that peak here in South Australia."
Of the total number of positive cases, 519 came from rapid antigen test (RAT) results.
However, the Premier again urged anyone with symptoms to use a PCR test rather than a RAT.
"There are no lines, there are no delays, people should go and get those PCR tests," he said.
"It's a preference to using that rapid antigen test.
A relaxation of working from home recommendations has come into effect today, and the Premier said it would help give struggling businesses a boost.
"We are gradually, in a staged way, improving the number of people in the CBD," he said.
"We are encouraging those people, up to 25 per cent of people, back into their offices in the CBD and we’re particularly encouraging them to get out, spend some money … we're very keen to see some increased activity.
"We're the first in Australia to make this move. Our primary responsibility is to all South Australians and I think this is a good first step.
"We want to do it in a safe way and we're strongly advising people to wear masks."
Premier hopeful teacher strike won't go ahead
The Australian Education Union is yet to decide whether teachers will strike on the first day of school, which is due to return on February 2.
More than two-thirds of teachers who voted in a ballot were in favour of striking over the government's return to school plan.
In particular, teachers and the union are unhappy with a decision to not give school staff access to regular rapid antigen testing.
The union met with Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier this week to raise their concerns.
Mr Marshall said the government believed two-thirds of the union's concerns had been met.
"Just over 24 hours ago Professor Spurrier provided a comprehensive briefing so I think the ball's in the court of the union," Mr Marshall said.
"I think that we've arrived at a very sensible and safe return-to-school plan for our state. Obviously, we have an ability for people to take strike action in South Australia."
However, Mr Marshall was optimistic that a strike would be averted, saying he was "hopeful" of a resolution.
