South Australia has reported another 3493 COVID-19 cases, with more people in hospital with the virus.

Case numbers were up from 3246 on Tuesday and hospital admissions jumped from 102 to 125.

But Premier Steven Marshall says the number of people in intensive care has remained unchanged at 12 with one person on a ventilator.

Mr Marshall has also signalled an intention within the next week to switch to rapid antigen tests for close contacts of virus cases, to preserve the more conclusive PCR tests for people with symptoms.

The RAT tests for close contacts will be free.

The change comes as demand remains high for tests with more than 21,000 performed on Tuesday.

“As we get further towards the peak we want to preserve that PCR capacity for those people who have symptoms so they can get through in a rapid rate,” the premier said.

“At the moment I think we still have the highest per capita PCR testing in the country and the lowest turnaround times.

“But we’ve got to be mindful of where we’re going to be in a weeks’ time, in two weeks’ time, in three weeks’ time.”

Mr Marshall said putting the necessary protocols and procedures in place now would preserve SA’s PCR capacity.

– AAP