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Health

South Australia records 1,217 COVID-19 cases and no new deaths as medi-hotels wind up

The Pullman Hotel will continue operating as a medi-hotel. (ABC News: Charles Brice)

South Australia has recorded 1,217 new cases of COVID-19 and no further deaths. 

There are currently 12, 946 active cases in the state, up from 1,118 cases yesterday.

SA Health said there were 190 people in hospital with the virus, with 13 patients in intensive care and three requiring a ventilator. 

According to SA Health data, out of those hospitalised, 102 people were fully vaccinated, 33 people were either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated and 55 have an "unknown vaccination status". 

Loved ones were reunited at Adelaide Airport today after Australia's international border reopened to tourists for the first time in nearly two years. 

Fully-vaccinated travellers can enter the country without having to quarantine. 

SA Health requires overseas arrivals to complete a PCR test within the first 24 hours. 

Loved ones reunited at Adelaide Airport on the first day international travel restrictions were relaxed.  (ABC News: Brant Cumming)

The state government has been scaling down medi-hotels over the past six months. 

From six at the peak of the pandemic, there are now just three still operating as medi-hotels with The Playford Hotel, Stamford Plaza and the Hotel Grand Chancellor reverting to accommodation services. 

Going forward, only Tom's Court and the Pullman will continue to host unvaccinated arrivals and some positive COIVD-19 cases. 

"Our medi-hotels have worked extraordinary well over the course of the pandemic but it's now time to start to wind down those rooms," Premier Steven Marshall said today. 

The Playford Hotel on North Terrace will no longer be used as a medi-hotel.  (Facebook: The Playford Adelaide)

Payroll tax commitment

During a press conference today, Mr Marshall promised to extend the removal of payroll tax for apprentices, first introduced in 2020 to help businesses get through the COVID-19 pandemic, for a further two years if elected.

The program is estimated to save employers just over $18 million and it will apply to all trainees and apprentices.

"We want to make sure we don't have skill deficiencies across South Australia," Mr Marshall said.

"We have ambition for even more skills in South Australia. Whether they be university skills, trainees, apprentices or starting your own business, we are providing that opportunity."

Sarah Constructions has between 300 and 400 apprentices working on its projects at one time.

Chief Executive Officer Adrian Esplin said the payroll cut would help drive more people into the industry.

"I think there is demand out there for increase participation and for people to want a start in the industry," he said.

"I think one of the challenges is how do people find that start. If business and businesses have that incentive that's good for the individuals looking for work."

An artist's impression of the new Women's and Children's Hospital which will have a bridge to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.  (Supplied: Government of South Australia)

Labor promises more beds for WCH

Labor promised to add 50 more overnight beds to plans for the new Women's and Children's Hospital, and employ 48 more doctors and 12 specialist nurses at the current WCH.

The commitment makes up part of their weekend promise to add 100 doctors, and 300 beds to the system.

At their announcement was Sami Glastonbury, whose son Frank has complex medical needs and often needs treatment at the Women's and Children's Hospital.

"We're a familiar face, or as Frank's seen a frequent flyer," Ms Galstonbury said.

She said while staff were great, she's often concerned about how stretched resources were at the hospital.

"There is definitely a sense when you go in there that things are running very tight," she said.

"Frank needed to be seen in hospital, he had to undergo a whole heap of neurological tests and there wasn't a bed."

Labor leader Peter Malinauskas said the Liberal plan for the new hospital, to be built next to the Royal Adelaide, has less overnight beds than the existing WCH.

"We can't build a brand new hospital that's got less overnight paediatric beds than the current one," he said.

"Let's build right the first time and that's why we're committing to building an additional 50 beds over and above Steven Marshall's plan."

How and when will the COVID pandemic end?
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