WA records 44 new COVID-19 cases.
Health Minister Roger Cook announced today 17 West Australians had been diagnosed overnight with the virus, joining 27 passengers from the German Artania cruise ship who will be treated in private hospitals in coming days.
The new findings bring WA’s overall positive coronavirus cases to 355.
Positive test breakdown
Locally
Of the 17 local cases, two were from regional WA – one from the Great Southern and the other from the Kimberley.
A further eight cases were linked to overseas cases one from domestic travel and the other four were close contacts of people who had tested positive. The final two cases were healthcare workers.
Cruise Ship
Of the 27 people from the Artania who tested positive, 14 are passengers and 13 are crew members.
Where are they now?
Mr Cook confirmed that of WA’s “current case-load” six were being treated at Fiona Stanley hospital, four of which were in the ICU and in a critical condition and two were in another ward. Almost 30 patients were transferred to the Joondalup Hospital, and three were in Midland but would soon be transferred to St John of God. A further three were in St Charles Gardner Hospital.
The two in Fiona Stanley not in ICU and the three in St Charles Gardner will be transferred to the Joondalup campus this afternoon.
Most WA cases still linked to those who have travelled
Mr Cook said there was still very limited community spread in WA.
“In fact of the confirmed cases in Western Australia now, 84 per cent are linked to cruise ship travel, overseas travel or interstate travel,” he said.
“Over a third of our cases… have been directly related to cruise ships.”
Broader testing
Mr Cook announced over the coming days, WA’s COVID-19 clinics would be opened to anyone with a fever and acute respiratory symptoms.
“We’re going to expand our testing regime to take in this extra cohort… to make sure we have good line of sight for people in the community suffering from COVID-19,” he said.
“We’ll also be testing anyone returning from travel in the past 14 days and their close contacts.”
Any health care workers and police offices who have either a fever or respiratory symptoms will be admitted for testing.
Supplies
There are about 109 ventilators in the metro public health system, making up the majority of the 146 available across the State.
A further 50 ventilators are “in stock” and another 300 have been ordered.
On the most recent stocktake, there are three to 10 weeks supply of stock for personal protective equipment.
Local industries in WA are also reaching out to help, with some businesses offering to make facemasks and sanitiser.
The latest Coronavirus count in Australia
There are currently 4,111 confirmed cases in Australia.
- NSW: 1,918
- VICTORIA: 821
- ACT: 78 – First death recorded in the territory today
- SA: 305
- QLD: 689
- TAS: 66 – First death recorded in the territory today
- WA: 355
- Total deaths 18
Watch: WA Health Minister Roger Cook addresses the media on WA’s latest confirmed coronavirus cases
More coronavirus coverage on SoPerth.com.au
Latest Perth coronavirus news and advice.
