COVID WA: Seven new cases recorded, including two more mystery infections

Two more mystery COVID-19 cases are under investigation by WA Health, fuelling concern Omicron’s foothold in the State is growing.

Authorities are concerned at the strong likelihood of hidden cases in the community and stressed the importance of West Australians getting themselves tested if they experience symptoms.

WA Health on Saturday reported seven new local COVID-19 cases and four travel-related cases to 8pm on Friday.

Five of the seven local cases are known contacts of a previously reported cases, one whom was potentially infectious in the community.

“The two other local cases are currently being investigated,” a spokesperson said.

“They have not currently been linked directly to any previous cases. These two cases are from different households.”

All cases are in self-quarantine.

The two mystery cases follows the four cases reported on Friday.

WA Health has urged anyone who was at Swan Yacht Club in East Fremantle last Saturday night (January 15) between 5pm-to-6.45pm to get tested immediately and isolate until they get a negative result. Other exposure sites are on the HealthyWA website.

There are currently 78 confirmed active cases in WA.

Of these, 27 are in hotel quarantine, 51 are in self-quarantine. No cases are currently in hospital.

WA Health reiterated its call for anyone in the Perth, Peel and the South West regions experiencing symptoms to get tested immediately and isolate until they receive a negative result.

“This applies to anyone symptomatic – even if you have not visited a listed exposure site,” the spokesperson said.

A full list of testing clinics is available on HealthyWA website.

The number of reported COVID-19-related deaths around the country were down yesterday, at 64. These included 30 in NSW, 20 in Victoria, 10 in Queensland, three in South Australia and one in Tasmania.

There were 5108 Australians in hospitals, being treated for COVID-19. Some 417 of these were in intensive care.

In WA, 5,764 people were swabbed at clinics yesterday.

WA Health is expanding testing capacity, including operating hours of clinics.

Private clinics are also available. Testing is available free of charge at private testing clinics for people who have been advised by WA Health to get tested, or who have been present at exposure sites at the times listed on the HealthyWA website.

Some 11,639 COVID-19 vaccinations were administered in State-run vaccination clinics on Friday.

“Demand for vaccinations and third doses is increasing,” the spokesperson said.

“To spread the demand across clinic operating hours and to avoid excessive wait times, people are encouraged to make a booking via Vaccinate WA.

“Additional appointments for children aged 5 to 11 have been added at State-run clinics between January 22 and January 30, these can be booked online at VaccinateWA.

“A dedicated paediatric vaccination clinic will also open at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC) and increased children’s vaccinations will be available at Kwinana and Ellenbrook vaccination clinics. All other appointments booked at the PCEC clinic will continue as scheduled.”

Opposition Leader Mia Davies said she was concerned COVID-19 was spreading in the community whilst the State was “in limbo without a plan.”

“Without the definition of a close contact, isolation rules that might apply to workers, density limits and cleaning protocols for exposure sites, our State’s businesses, schools, service providers and the community are flying blind,” she said.

“The relief that many felt at the delay in opening will quickly dissolve into feelings of betrayal when we are faced with managing COVID-19 spread without clear guidelines, rules and procedures.”