The Department of Health has advised today that it is taking a cautious approach to a previously confirmed case of COVID 19.
The case (1017) had completed quarantine at a State-run quarantine hotel.
The man was cleared of his infection based on national guidelines. He then completed a further three days to fulfill the requirements of his quarantine as an international arrival.
He is now 16 days after diagnosis.
He does not have a variant of concern and was previously vaccinated against COVID-19.
Post release the man was required to have a COVID-19 test for work purposes prior to boarding a vessel.
The man returned a positive result. This is not uncommon and represents persistent fragments of the virus that cannot infect others. His result suggested a higher level of virus than has previously been found in these situations. Further testing today is consistent with a long-term non-infectious shedder, but further viral cultures and genome sequencing are required to confirm this.
The Department of Health believes he has not been infectious while in the community and the risk of transmission is very low. The Department, however, is taking a very cautionary approach and will contact people who have been at venues that he visited.
The man spent only a short time in the community, visited only a few places and wore a mask.
He has returned to hotel quarantine based on an abundance of caution. Contact tracing is underway, again as a precaution.
Potential exposure sites are:
- Optus Murray St, 237 Murray St, Perth, Friday 4 June, 4.30pm to 5.15pm
- Chemist Discount Centre, Perth, Wesley Quarter, 93 William St, Perth Friday 4 June, 5.00pm to 5.30pm
- Rubix Bar and Café, Ibis Hotel Restaurant, 334 Murray St, Perth Friday 4 June, 6.00pm to 8.00pm.
Anybody who has visited these sites at the times specified – or who is contacted by the Department of Health – is asked to get tested and monitor for symptoms for the next 14 days.
Given the very low risk, these people will not have to quarantine.
The Department of Health will provide further updates should the situation change.
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