WA announces 9243 new Covid cases, six deaths, as ‘monumental’ vax milestone reached

One state has announced another six deaths and more than 9200 new Covid cases as it hit a ‘monumental’ vaccine goal.

Western Australia has recorded another six Covid deaths and more than 9200 new cases as the state reaches a “monumental” vaccine milestone.

WA Health on Saturday reported 9243 new cases to 8pm last night and 275 people in hospital.

Eleven of those were in ICU.

The six deaths reported by health authorities were historical, dating back to April 28.

The new figures bring WA’s total number of Covid cases to 442,481 since the pandemic began.

Arriving passengers scan the arrival registration QR codes at the Qantas Domestic terminal in February in Perth. The state recorded another 9243 new Covid-19 cases and six historic deaths on Saturday. Picture: Paul Kane / Getty Images

A WA Health spokesman said the deaths included a woman in her 100s, two women in their 90s, a man and woman in their 80s and a woman in her 70s.

There are now 51,680 active cases across the state, with most concentrated in metropolitan WA.

Premier Mark McGowan said the state had hit a vaccine milestone. Photo: Paul Kane / Getty Images

WA Premier Mark McGowan on Friday announced the state had reached a “monumental” milestone with 80.1 per cent of people aged 16 and over having received their third vaccine dose.

“Our third dose rate is the highest in the nation – and that is something to be proud of,” Mr McGowan posted on Facebook.

“While public health measures have eased, it’s important to remember this pandemic is not over.”

Saturday’s figures mark a slight drop in the number of new cases, with 9328 recorded on Friday.

The number of hospitalisations and people requiring intensive care also slightly dropped from 282 and nine, respectively.

Mr McGowan, who left isolation last Thursday after contracting Covid, said his state had achieved a “soft landing” out of the Omicron peak.

Restrictions across WA have recently eased due to hospital and intensive care rates being lower than predicted, but the state’s compulsory vaccination status still remains.

Originally published as WA announces 9243 new Covid cases, six deaths, as ‘monumental’ vax milestone reached