The number of active COVID cases in Western Australia has exceeded 200 overnight, as the state attempts to tackle COVID spread in schools by limiting in-school gatherings.
The number of active COVID cases in Western Australia has risen to 203 overnight, as the state turns its attention to the education sector by limiting in-school gatherings and staff interaction.
WA Health confirmed 14 of the 18 new cases have been linked to close contacts of previously reported cases, while four mystery cases were under investigation.
It is understood some of the new cases were infectious within the community, with popular northern suburbs eatery Canteen Trigg and QT Perth in the CBD added to the list of potential exposure sites.
Visitors to both venues have been told to get tested immediately and isolate.
This afternoon, the state government updated its healthadvice for in-school gatherings in a bid to minimise the impact a COVID-positive person may have on staff and students.
The state's chief health officer has recommended schools limit in-school gatherings of students and staff to class groups or small groups within a year level, with assemblies to be conducted within a year group, staff meetings to be held online, and staff lunch breaks to be taken in learning area facilities.
It follows the closure of Winterfold Primary School for several days earlier this week after a COVID-positive staff member attended a professional development day with staff and students.
The news comes as the state prepares to implement new “safe and compassionate” border settings to allow the return of Western Australians both interstate and overseas after the government ditched its February 5 reopening plan.
From midnight, Western Australians with legitimate family connections, those entering on compassionate grounds, those seeking urgent medical treatment, for national and state security, and those with special skills will be eligible for exemptions.
Interstate travellers into WA will be permitted if they have an approved G2G pass, are triple-dose vaccinated, return a negative pre-departure Rapid Antigen Test, and undertake 14 days of self-quarantine.
International travellers that meet the federal requirements to enter Australia will need to undertake 14 days of mandatory quarantine and present for PCR testing on days six, nine and 12.
The border controls are expected to be reviewed throughout the month.
Meanwhile, the vaccination rate for Western Australians continues to climb, with 97.8 per cent of those over the age of 12 now having received their first dose.
Almost 93 per cent of those over the age of 12 are now fully vaccinated, with 41.9 per cent of those over the age of 16 having received their booster jab.
The third dose vaccination rate is expected to climb in the coming weeks, with the state government launching a blitz that will boost capacity by 40,000 appointments from Monday.
