COVID outbreak in Bidyadanga community

WA Country Health Service and the Department of Health are working with Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service (KAMS) on the management of at least 17 positive COVID cases in Bidyadanga.

Fifteen (15) of these were recorded out of the standard reporting cycle while two were included in the 8pm report last night.

Test results are still pending for some people and it is likely that numbers will increase.

Healthcare staff on-the-ground have confirmed all cases are well and currently isolating but are asking anyone that has been in Bidyadanga since February 15 to present for testing.

Kimberley Public Health Physician Dr Pippa May said it was important anyone in the region experiencing COVID symptoms got tested as soon as possible.

“COVID has arrived in the Kimberley and case numbers are quickly increasing,” she said.

“As a community, we need to do all that we can to protect our region and identifying cases of COVID and isolating them early will help stop the spread.”

Dr May said contact tracing teams were working as quickly as possible to identify close contacts and that KAMS was supplying COVID positive people in Bidyadanga with care packages that included oximeters.

The ongoing response will continue to be coordinated by the Department of Health, WACHS, KAMS, WA Police and Department of Communities.

(ENDS)

Media contacts:

WA Health Media WA Country Health Service - Chloe Lawler

T: (08) 9222 4333 0427 169 166

E: media@health.wa.gov.au wachs.comms@health.wa.gov.au