South Australia ‘not out of the woods yet’ as one new coronavirus case recorded

South Australia has recorded no new local cases of COVID-19 and just one fresh infection in quarantine as it prepares to lift a statewide lockdown.

The one case, confirmed on Saturday as a man linked to the Parafield cluster, was already in quarantine after his partner tested positive.

“They don’t pose any risk at all to the community,” Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier told reporters.

SA’s lockdown will end at midnight on Saturday, although a range of measures will remain in place to limit crowds at various venues, including pubs and restaurants.

Premier Steven Marshall has warned the state is “not out of the woods yet”.

“The expert health advice we have received is that we are still managing a very dangerous cluster,” he said.

“Although we are reducing those restrictions, we are still very concerned about this cluster.

“There are still many people that we need to identify and put into a quarantine situation and get testing results.”

More than 19,000 South Australians were tested on Friday, something Mr Marshall said was an extraordinary response.

Some venues will be limited to the number of patrons they can serve while a rule of one person to every four square metres will apply across the board.

Schools will also reopen on Monday.

Police have established a task force to examine all the circumstances surrounding the misinformation which raised fears over more widespread community transmission.

On Friday, another 44 people were suspected of having the virus but are waiting for test results.

All the new and suspected cases are already in quarantine, with the total number of people in isolation rising to more than 4500.

Despite the early end to the lockdown, Business SA said it would still hit the state economy hard.

“To say this week has been a roller-coaster ride for South Australian business owners would be a gross understatement,” chief executive Martin Haese said.

“A three-day shutdown of the entire state will cost businesses many millions of dollars.”