‘Chance event’: New theory on how WA hotel quarantine security guard fell ill

New details have emerged about how a WA security guard contracted a contagious strain of COVID-19.

Authorities believe a West Australian hotel quarantine security guard may have contracted COVID-19 in a “chance event” after it was revealed he did not in fact deliver medication to the room of an infectious person.

The WA Health Minister also said the guard was not wearing a mask while on duty, which was consistent with health advice at the time.

New details on how the guard may have contracted the virus came to light on Wednesday as the state again recorded zero new cases of COVID-19.

The promising figure was recorded on the third day of a lockdown sparked after the guard went to multiple places in the metropolitan area while infectious with the UK mutant strain.

As an out-of-control bushfire raged in the city’s northeast on Wednesday, with at least 71 properties confirmed destroyed, Mr McGowan said it was very encouraging to have no new cases amid record testing levels.

There has been a massive testing blitz since the security guard case and lockdown was announced. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Philip Gostelow

Health Minister Roger Cook clarified the media had been wrongly advised on Tuesday that the Ace Security and Event Services guard had delivered medication to the room of a person believed to be the source of his infection at the Four Points by Sheraton in the CBD.

That was in fact a different staff member, he said.

The man, who is aged in his 20s, was at a static location near the stairwell at least two doors away from the room and wasn’t required to wear a mask while he remained in place, Mr Cook said, which was “consistent with the public health advice” at the time.

Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said the occupant of the room had advised that every time security guards and other staff came to the room they were wearing PPE.

The room was visited seven times that day, with food delivered several times “and there was also some flowers delivered”, Mr Dawson said.

Mr Cook said the security guard did not approach the door during the day.

“However obviously you can understand with seven different visits during that day to the person in question, it would appear that there was some spread of the disease,” the minister said.

The guard -- known as case 903 -- was ensuring no-one left their room, Mr Cook said.

It’s not just playgrounds that are deserted - the CBD is a ghost town too. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tony McDonough

Paul Armstrong, a communicable diseases expert, said there was no evidence the guard “did anything apart from what was advised in the protocols”.

“If they hear anybody coming to the doors or there is an inkling that the door will be open, they have ready access to masks and eyewear and they are trained and advised to put that on to prevent any infection, if they have to get closer to that person,” Dr Armstrong said.

“It may have been that a surface was contaminated by that person somehow and he touched that surface and put his fingers in his eyes or his mouth ... we haven’t worked out exactly how that transmission event has occurred.”

Dr Armstrong also suggested it may have been related to airflow and ventilation.

“It may have been the case that the airflow situation of that particular floor wherever the person was sitting at several times that the door was opened that something happened there, a chance event with that person becoming infected,” he said.

Dr Armstrong said all guards were now required to wear masks, a change from the prior position that they were not necessary.

Mr McGowan said if he had been in a quarantine hotel, he would have worn a mask.

“But obviously the security guards have been following the rules that have been put in place by the infectious disease experts.”

The Premier said he was sorry about what had occurred.

“I’m not afraid to apologise,” he said.

The security guard is now under police investigation after contracting the highly contagious UK strain of the deadly virus at The Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in the CBD. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tony McDonough

Mr McGowan also lashed out at misinformation regarding the state’s supply of PPE.

It was “being thrown around about how we have low stocks of PPE” but that was “completely untrue,” he said.

“Throughout this pandemic, we had prepared and have all necessary PPE in stock,” the Labor leader said.

“Misinformation and fearmongering being peddled by some people needs to stop.

“To be clear, we have more than enough PPE.

“I’m advised it is being distributed to our health services so they have more than enough.”

Mark McGowan said a lot of misinformation has been spread about PPE stocks. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tony McDonough

Mr McGowan said three days of zero cases was encouraging, but the state was “not out of the woods yet”.

“We had incredible testing with 12,326 tests conducted yesterday. That is a very good number of tests but we want to keep the number of tests at a high level.

“That means even recently if you’ve received a negative result, if you begin to feel unwell or experience any symptoms, go get tested again. Take nothing for granted.”

He said that if the zero streak continued through to Friday, the full lockdown would end, but some form of restrictions would be necessary for the following week or so “like we have seen in other states”.

“We know this virus can linger, so even though we could potentially have no community transmission come Friday, it does not mean we are 100 per cent in the clear.

“I want to get back to normal as quickly as possible. But we need to see at least 14 days of no community transmission before we can return to our unique life here in Perth, South West and Peel, that we were all enjoying throughout January.”

Assuming no cases emerge, the exact rules would be announced on Thursday or Friday, Mr McGowan said.

He said 189 close contacts had been identified, with 138 of these returning negative results. In addition, 234 casual contacts had also been identified, with 116 of these returning negative results.

“Test results on others will be confirmed soon,” the Premier said.

“I can also add that the three housemates of the confirmed case have been tested again. The results of these tests are pending.”