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Health Minister Roger Cook says WA will be able to seriously review its social distancing rules once it has seen a sustained period of very low case numbers, but is warning the state could still see a resurgence of COVID-19.
Key points:
- Social distancing rules and border closures won't be lifted anytime soon
- Talks are underway for private labs to do some COVID-19 testing
- Police have praised people for their behaviour over the Easter weekend
It coincides with six new coronavirus cases in Western Australia, taking the total number of positive tests in the state to 523.
Five of the cases are from cruise ships — four from the Artania and one from the Costa Victoria — while the sixth is in the Wheatbelt and is a close contact of an overseas traveller.
There are 28 coronavirus patients in hospital, with 14 of them in intensive care.
Mr Cook said the state was seeing "unequivocally great numbers" of coronavirus cases, with new recorded infections dropping as low as three on Sunday after eight on Saturday.
WA's success in "flattening the curve" has led to consideration of easing or tweaking some restrictions, but he stressed many of the most severe measures would remain for months to come.
"We really need to make sure we consolidate the gains we have made, by continuing to have social distancing and border-like measures," he told ABC Radio Perth.
But Mr Cook said the WA Government was examining what adjustments could be made to "reinvigorate" the state's economy, without putting public health at risk.
"We need to see a sustained period of low numbers and low positive cases and then the opportunity will present itself to bring people back towards normal.
"I think the trigger points are a sustained level of very low numbers, which we are starting to see now.
"If we take our foot off the pedal now we could see a resurgence of the virus, and that would be bad for everyone."
Premier Mark McGowan has repeatedly warned some social restrictions, such as bans on mass gatherings as well as the interstate border closure, would remain in place for several months to come.
WA moving from 'suppression' to 'vigilance' phase
Mr Cook said the "extraordinarily good numbers" WA was seeing meant the state would now move from the "suppression" stage of its fight against COVID-19 to the "vigilance" phase.
"I am really pleased with the progress we are making," he said.
"Social distancing, border measures and the work we are doing to test is really starting to bear fruit."
Australian Medical Association WA president Andrew Miller said if the "really promising" numbers continued, easing some restrictions from late May would be possible.
"At the end of next month, if things are looking okay, some careful undoing of something [while] watching numbers with a lot of testing would be feasible," he said.
"We can start talking about it and we can start giving people some hope about what the plan is for easing of restrictions."
What the experts are saying about coronavirus:
Talks underway to expand testing further
Mr Cook said there had been no evidence of community transmission of the virus in WA since authorities began a broader testing regime last week.
Since Thursday, anyone with a fever or respiratory symptoms such as a cough, sore throat or shortness of breath has been urged to get tested, regardless of their recent travel history.
Mr Cook said discussions were ongoing with private pathology laboratories about having them conduct some testing, with the Minister keen to expand the regime even further.
Who should present to COVID-19 clinics?
- People who have EITHER a fever of 38 degrees Celsius OR acute respiratory infection
- Symptoms to look out for include fever, shortness of breath, cough or sore throat
- Patients who are tested should remain isolated at home until they receive their test results.
They are open from 8:00am–8:00pm daily.
In Southern WA a clinic is operating at Bunbury Health Campus from 10:00am–4:00pm daily.
In Northern WA a clinic is operating at Broome Hospital from 8:30am–4:00pm daily.
Outside these areas, people with symptoms should present to their local hospital.
For more information go to the Health Department website.
"What I want to see us do now is to continue to expand our testing regime, both in terms of volume and the wider cohort of people," he said.
"We want to make sure that we maintain absolute vigilance."
Police chief praises Easter behaviour
Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Chris Dawson has praised West Australians for their behaviour over the Easter long weekend.
Police had a heavy presence at beaches and other popular public places to ensure social distancing rules were being adhered to.
Commissioner Dawson said police had not needed to issue a single infringement at beaches over the Easter weekend.
"We are extremely pleased with the way the community has rallied together," he told ABC Perth.
"It is physically and mentally healthy for people to get out and exercise … providing we are exercising in a way that doesn't compromise anyone else's safety."
But police were called to two house parties over the weekend, gatherings that are currently now allowed, and Commissioner Dawson said charges were "likely".
"We are not in a normal environment, we are still in a state of emergency," he said.
What you need to know about coronavirus:
Topics: state-parliament, respiratory-diseases, health, diseases-and-disorders, covid-19, states-and-territories, government-and-politics, perth-6000, wa
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