WA has recorded another two local cases of COVID-19 overnight, one having contracted the virus from an unknown source.
The state has recorded another two local cases of COVID-19 overnight, one having contracted the virus from an unknown source and tested positive in a Perth hospital.
During a press conference this afternoon, Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson told reporters the new cases included one man in his 50s linked to the Cockburn cluster and a second man in his 60s.
It’s not yet clear how the second case, dubbed case 1327, contracted the virus, but Mrs Sanderson said health authorities believed the case may be linked to the Cockburn cluster.
Genomic sequencing is now under way, with the man and his four housemates now in quarantine.
Case 1327 attended the emergency department with an unrelated illness during his infectious period before testing positive for the virus.
As a result, 12 healthcare workers who treated the case are now considered close contacts and, while they were all wearing PPE, are being tested and are in quarantine.
In addition, there are three new cases related to interstate travellers.
It takes the total number of active cases in Western Australia to 82, with 25 of these in hotel quarantine.
Ms Sanderson said the state government and health authorities still held serious concerns about Omicron lingering within the community and pleaded with the public to be vigilant, remain up-to-date with the exposure sites and present for testing.
“We need to keep up strong testing numbers in the coming days to manage the outbreak and minimise and prevent spread,” she said.
“The community cases we’re recording mean we’re still not out of the woods.
“We assume Omicron is lurking in the community.”
A further four potential exposure sites were added to the list this afternoon, including Campbells Wholesale Store in Canning Vale, IGA Canning Bridge in Applecross, and a Karaoke Bar in Northbridge.
It takes the number of exposure sites across WA to 185.
The state government has not yet indicated when the mask mandate reintroduced on Sunday could be lifted.
