WA Health is reporting 24 new local cases and zero travel-related cases from interstate up to 8pm last night.
Nine of these new cases are linked to the growing Bunbury cluster, which now numbers 17.
In total, 13 workers at a South-West construction site have now tested positive. Four close contacts of workers have also tested positive.
Of the 99 close and casual contacts identified on site, 12 have tested positive, a further 73 have returned a negative result with an additional 14 either with results pending or who are yet to be tested.
Many are believed to have been infectious while in the community.
The source remains under investigation by the WA Health contact and trace team. This cluster is expected to grow in coming days.
Known clusters
- Two are close contacts of the Coolbellup cluster, including one household contact.
- Two are connected to IGA Willagee
- Three are a close contact of the Safety Bay cluster.
- Two are close contacts of the Haynes cluster.
Other new cases
- One is linked to a Mandurah exposure site
- One is a household contact of previously notified hotel security guard
- Two are household contacts of confirmed cases who had unknown sources in recent days (residing in Perth Hills, and Rockingham area respectively)
- Two are from an unknown source
- One in the Rockingham area, remains under investigation
- One in the Wheatbelt, unknown source but has spent time in the Southwest and remains under investigation
Today’s figures bring the State’s total number of COVID-19 cases to 1442. 1301 people have recovered from the virus.
There are currently 132 confirmed active cases in WA. Of these, 23 are in hotel quarantine, 109 are in self-quarantine. One case remains in hospital in ICU.
All cases are now in quarantine and public health will continue to monitor them.
Contact tracers are now working with these cases to determine potential exposure sites and these will be uploaded to the HealthyWA website when confirmed.
Testing
A full list of testing clinics is available on HealthyWA website.
Anyone in the Perth, Peel and the South West regions – particularly the greater Bunbury area – experiencing any symptoms should get tested immediately and isolate until they receive a negative result. This applies to anyone symptomatic – even if you have not visited a listed exposure site.
Exposure sites
WA Health’s contact tracing team continues to identify a new range of exposure sites linked to new cases and it is likely exposure sites will be updated or added. Please continue to check exposure sites regularly, these are listed on the HealthyWA website.
WA Health does not list exposure sites where it has identified all potential contacts or locations that could potentially identify individuals.
Testing advice
People are urged to continue to check the exposure sites page of the HealthyWA website for updates, and if they have been to an exposure site to follow the listed health advice.
Anyone in the Perth, Peel and the South West regions experiencing symptoms should get tested immediately and isolate until they receive a negative result.
A full list of testing clinics and opening hours is available on HealthyWA website.
Public testing clinics in the South West are listed below:
Clinipath, Busselton Covid Drive Thru, 31 Fairlawn Road, Busselton WA 6280, opening times can be found here
Testing figures
8368 people were swabbed at WA clinics yesterday.
New information for the community about managing COVID-19
New information about managing COVID-19 at home and in the community is on the HealthyWA website.
Vessels
WA Health continues to closely monitor two vessels off the WA coast, both reporting probable COVID cases on board through returned positive Rapid Antigen Tests.
All positive crew members on board these vessels are isolating in their cabins and being monitored safely.
SafeWA
Yesterday, 2,183,616 scans were recorded on the SafeWA app. It is important for everyone to check using SafeWA or the ServiceWA app will help authorities contact those who may be at risk quickly and effectively.
Border controls
Information about Western Australia’s controlled border arrangements, conditions of entry and quarantine is available online.
COVID-19 vaccinations
Yesterday, 11,285 COVID-19 vaccinations were administered in state-run vaccination clinics in Western Australia.
Demand for vaccinations and third doses is increasing. To spread the demand across clinic operating hours and to avoid excessive wait times, people are encouraged to make a booking via Vaccinate WA.
Vaccinations are also available at GPs and pharmacies.
Anyone who received their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine four or more months ago can now book their booster dose and ensure they have maximum protection against the disease.
Additional appointments for children aged 5 to 11 have been added at State-run clinics until January 30 and these can be booked online at VaccinateWA.
Children’s vaccinations
There are paediatric vaccine bookings available this week at the dedicated paediatric vaccination clinic at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC). Increased children's vaccinations will also be available at Kwinana and Ellenbrook vaccination clinics. All other appointments booked at the PCEC clinic will continue as scheduled.
For the latest WA vaccination figures, visit the COVID-19 Coronavirus: Vaccination dashboard (external site)**. For the latest Commonwealth data visit the Vaccination Numbers and Statistics website.
Mandatory vaccination information
A mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for most occupations and workforces in WA is being introduced in a phased approach. For more information on getting your COVID-19 vaccine, visit: https://rollup.wa.gov.au/
Variants
To date, 387 cases of variant strains have been detected in Western Australia – including 180 Omicron strain, 53 Alpha strain, 15 Beta strain, one Gamma strain and 138 Delta strain.
Visit WA Health’s HealthyWA website for the latest information on COVID-19.
**A vaccine dashboard data interpretation guide (external site) is also available to help you.