13/03/2020
This is our WA COVID-19 update for Friday 13 March 2020.
Today's update includes details on five new confirmed cases, details of new advice and decisions from the national response, and updated details about testing in Western Australia.
Our regular public updates include up-to-date information, current advice and tips on how to better protect yourself.
It is important people are well informed on the virus, so as new information or advice becomes available we will share it.
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- Current cases -
With over 1600 additional tests completed since yesterday's update, there have been five additional cases of COVID-19 detected in Western Australia.
The five new cases all relate to people who have recently returned from overseas - specifically the UK, US, Europe and Japan. All five are in a stable condition and in self-isolation at home.
We’ve now completed around 3,800 tests in Western Australia and uncovered 14 cases, the remaining tests all returning negative results.
As more results are returned from the tests taken at COVID Clinics, it’s expected there may be a larger number of cases uncovered.
12 of the cases relate to people travelling outside the State, while the remaining two cases contracted the virus from family members who have recently been overseas.
One patient, who was in a stable condition in hospital with COVID-19, has been discharged and has now fully recovered.
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- Updated travel advice from the Federal Government -
The Federal Government has today updated their travel advice for all Australians with regards to overseas travel.
It now advises all Australians to reconsider their need for overseas travel at this time.
For more information, please visit www.smartraveller.gov.au
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- National Response -
Following the meeting of the Prime Minister and State Leaders, a number of measures were agreed to.
Firstly, a National Cabinet will be established consisting of all leaders across the nation to deal with the issues facing us.
It will meet weekly, or more regularly as required, to ensure we have a coordinated national response to COVID-19.
Secondly, the medical recommendation was accepted to advise against non-essential, organised gatherings of 500 or more people from going ahead.
This will come into effect from Monday, for indoor and outdoor events.
It’s a precautionary step, but one that’s in the best interest of our community.
The decision doesn’t mean schools, universities, public transport, airports will need to close.
As outlined in our pandemic plan, if we need to go down that path, we will.
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- Testing and COVID clinics -
Due to a national shortage and high-demand for testing, we've adjusted the requirements to be tested for COVID-19 at this time - which will bring Western Australia in line with other Australian jurisdictions.
This is due to a global shortage of the chemical reagent required for laboratory testing and follows deliberations at the Council of Australian Governments meeting today.
This new testing criteria will ensure testing of high-risk patients can occur at the height of the expected pandemic.
Effective immediately, COVID-19 testing in WA will only be available to individuals who:
1. Have fever (temperature of 37.5 deg or above) or respiratory illness AND
2. Can provide evidence of recent overseas travel (for example, airline ticket or passport stamp) or have had close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case.
Also effective immediately, all COVID-19 testing in the metropolitan area will be performed only at COVID clinics.
Three COVID-19 clinics are now operational between the hours of 8am-8pm, 7 days a week.
They are based at Royal Perth Hospital (Ground Floor, Ainslie House, 48 Murray Street), Fiona Stanley Hospital (Allied Health 2, Gymnasiums, East End, Bedbrook Row) and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (C Block, Hospital Avenue).
In regional areas, people should go to a public hospital, health service or remote health clinic.
Patients at COVID clinics are required to bring proof of recent travel or identify the confirmed case they have been in contact with.
The criteria for testing will be updated according to changes in the disease pattern in WA.
Patients will be screened and where appropriate tested, provided with appropriate information and referred for further medical treatment if necessary. If people do not meet the criteria they will not be tested.
Those individuals who are tested and well enough, will be asked to self-isolate while they await test results.
Anyone who is confirmed to have coronavirus who does not require hospitalisation will be asked to stay in home isolation as instructed by the public health team.
Anyone who experiences symptoms outside of clinic hours should continue to use the emergency department at their local hospital.
It is also extremely important that people who are unwell and are concerned they have COVID-19 should immediately self-isolate and then seek further medical advice.
More locations for COVID clinics across the metropolitan area and in regional WA will be considered if there is a need to meet future or increased demand.
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We are preparing and taking every precaution to protect Western Australia from COVID-19.
The Western Australian health system and our hospitals are very well prepared to manage infectious disease situations and have well established systems and processes in place.
The WA Government’s Pandemic Plan has been updated to respond to COVID-19, and it is now publically available. You can see the plan for yourself at https://www.wa.gov.au/covid19 under WA Government Response.
The State Government is taking this very seriously – and we need to be prepared for a pandemic. Every action we take and decision we make is to protect Western Australians.
We have already taken action with a suite of measures to prepare the State for the possibility of a pandemic.
Western Australians should be going about their business as usual. It is important that we remain calm and use common sense.
The best thing we can do to protect ourselves is quality personal hygiene - as we would in the winter flu season. That includes covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands often with soap or sanitiser and to stay home from work or school if they are unwell.
Please also continue to follow the advice of authorities and doctors - anyone who is instructed to self-isolate must take the request seriously, stay home and not put others at risk. This means you don’t leave your property, you don’t go to work or school, you don’t go on outings and you don’t have visitors - only leave the house to seek medical attention.
People simply need to be aware, observe good health and make sure they have accurate information, from credible sources.
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Official information regarding COVID-19 in Western Australia - www.wa.gov.au/covid19
WA Department of Health information – www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/coronavirus
Coronavirus information hotline – 1800 020 080
Smartraveller – information regarding travel advice for Australians - www.smartraveller.gov.au
