WA records one new case of Covid-19 in a close contact of a hotel quarantine security guard

A close contact of a hotel quarantine security guard has become infected with Covid-19, but it is not yet known what strain of the virus they contracted.

Western Australia has recorded one new local case of Covid-19 overnight but it is not related to the Delta backpacker cluster.

WA Health said the person was a household contact of the security guard at the Hyatt Hotel who contracted the virus. They are in quarantine.

“Any identified close contacts will be asked to isolate and will be tested,” WA Health said.

It is not yet known what strain of the virus the security guard contracted because genomic sequencing has not yet been completed.

“Investigations remain under way as to how he was infected,” WA Health said.

Meanwhile, genomic sequencing for the Pan Pacific security guard who became infected with the Omicron variant over the weekend has linked him to two overseas arrivals who were on the same floor where he worked.

“There is no current evidence from investigations undertaken that there has been transmission between other guests/rooms at the hotel,” WA Health said.

“The security guard’s close and casual contacts continue to be monitored daily. All close and casual contacts have so far tested negative.”

This is our WA COVID-19 update for Thursday, 6 January 2022.

For official information on COVID-19 in WA, visit https://t.co/qA5jY6mVkvhttps://t.co/NnR10OpfsHpic.twitter.com/JE2H0xUhdi

— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) January 6, 2022

Six other cases recorded overnight are interstate arrivals – two from Victoria, one from Queensland, one from NSW, one from Tasmania and one from the Northern Territory.

A further two cases have also been reported among international flight crew.

It brings WA’s total number of infections to 1215 for the entirety of the pandemic so far, with 74 active cases.

The total number of cases related to the Delta backpacker cluster remains at 21.

Authorities have identified 856 close contacts, with 802 producing a negative result and 30 yet to be tested.

There are also 2334 casual contacts, with 1543 testing negative and 457 yet to be tested.

Restrictions, including the use of masks, were reintroduced in the Perth and Peel regions just before Christmas after a French backpacker from Queensland spread the Delta strain of the virus.

It was also revealed on Thursday that Woolworths at Westfield Carousel Shopping Centre had been added to the exposure list. The full list can be found here.

Originally published as WA records one new case of Covid-19 in a close contact of a hotel quarantine security guard