Western Australia records one new case of Covid-19 on second day of lockdown

One state has recorded a new case of coronavirus during a lockdown as contact tracers continue to work tirelessly.

Western Australia has recorded one new case of Covid-19 on the second day of lockdown, as contact tracing continues.

Premier Mark McGowan told reporters on Wednesday that the new case — the fourth in the outbreak — was a 37-year-old man.

“At this point, it is too early to say exactly how he acquired the virus,” Mr McGowan said.

“There are two possible scenarios. On Tuesday morning, June 22, he attended the Mobius Health and Performance gym in Joondalup during the same exposure period as case 1022.

“Additionally, he also attended the same gym on Saturday, June 26 during the same exposure period as case 1023.”

With 18,255 tests conducted yesterday, I can confirm that WA has recorded one new local case of COVID-19 overnight.

Read the full post here: https://t.co/GcgDAYirjTpic.twitter.com/USsk0exZnJ

— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) June 30, 2021

The man self-quarantined and was tested on June 27, returning a negative result.

He subsequently developed symptoms, was retested on Tuesday and has now returned a positive result.

Mr McGowan said it was “encouraging news” that the man had been in quarantine and was not expected to have been infectious in the community.

As of 8pm on Tuesday, a total of 310 close contacts had been identified in the cluster, with 205 testing negative so far.

A further 2199 casual contacts have been identified, of which 701 have tested negative so far.

“It is important to highlight that nearly 1800 of the casual contacts have been up through the Safe WA app,” Mr McGowan said.

“It is important to remember the numbers are close and casual contacts will continue rising as new cases are found and are interviewed by our expert contact tracing team and new sites of exposure are added.”

People are urged to get a Covid-19 test if they have been to an exposure site. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

The Perth and Peel regions were plunged into a minimum four-day lockdown this week after a physiotherapist contracted Covid-19 at the Lyfe Cafe in Bondi, then unknowingly brought the virus home.

She spread it to another woman at a gym and a man at the Indian Ocean Brewing Company, who worked at the venue but was dining there at the time of contracting the virus.

The physiotherapist had received her first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine at the time of infection.

Several vehicle checkpoints have been set up around the Perth and Peel regions during the lockdown.

Police have stopped 17,393 people since the lockdown began, with 166 refused passage.

Another 49 vehicles at the Northern Territory border were not allowed to enter Western Australia due to a lack of suitable quarantining accommodation.

“I know this is frustrating for those people involved, but given the situation in the Northern Territory, we need to maintain strong border controls to keep our community safe,” Mr McGowan said.

Drive-through testing stations have been busy in Perth. Picture: Trevor Collens/AFP

Regarding the Northern Territory goldmine outbreak, the Premier said 175 mine workers who were tested in Western Australia had all returned an initial negative test and were all undertaking 14 days of quarantine.

“They will all be required to be tested again. All other mine workers who arrived in WA as close contacts have now left the state,” he said.

“These results are very pleases, as we know this mine outbreak is currently causing significant problems in other jurisdictions around Australia.”

Meanwhile, the three schools that were deemed high risk exposure sites will remain closed for the rest of the week.

Connolly Primary School, Koondoola Primary School and Burbridge School were initially closed for deep cleaning on Monday and remained closed on Tuesday.

St Georges Terrace in the Perth CBD is usually bustling with cars and pedestrians. Picture: Trevor Collens/AFP

Koondoola Primary School principal Ian Ralph said authorities had advised the school to remain shut.

“Public Health has advised our school will remain closed for the rest of this week,” he said.

“All students and family who were at the school between 11am and 1pm on Tuesday, June 22 need to get a Covid test.

“This is a difficult time for all.”

The Premier said school attendance was “understandably down” on Tuesday, similar to the lockdown last year.

Only 66 per cent of students across the Perth and Peel regions attended school, compared to 90 per cent in the same week last year.

“There are understandably lower levels of attendance at those schools closer to the outbreak in the northern suburbs,” Mr McGowan said.

“Many people are staying home and waiting for test results have school-aged children.”

SCHOOL CLOSED REMAINDER OF WEEK Dear Parents, Public Health has advised our school will remain CLOSED for the rest of...

Posted by Koondoola Primary on Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Public Health has advised our school will remain CLOSED for the rest of this week.

Posted by Burbridge School on Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Mr McGowan said 18,255 coronavirus tests were conducted on Tuesday, which was a record daily number of tests for Western Australia.

“That is a great number and testament to West Australian’s dedication to doing the right thing,” he said.

“The more people we get tested, the more confidence we can have when taking the next steps.

“Even if you’ve already returned a negative result, and then developed symptoms like case 1028, get tested again.”

Mr McGowan also acknowledged that lockdowns were frustrating and difficult for everyone, but said they were necessary.

“I wouldn’t do it if the health advice didn’t say it was the best way to handle the current situation as quickly and effectively as possible,” he said.

“Hopefully in the future, as more West Australian’s get vaccinated, they will no longer be required.”

Mr McGowan also said he supported the idea of pharmacies issuing Covid-19 vaccines in the same way that they offer the flu shot.

“As a country, we just need to get more opportunities for people to get vaccinated with the vaccine that is appropriate for their age group,” he said.

“My view is, over 60s should be made eligible for Pfizer. We should open up our vaccines availability to more and more, both GPs and pharmacies to issue it.”

Police are stationed at border check point to ensure people stay in the Perth and Peel region unless they are exempt. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

Under lockdown restrictions, people must stay home unless they need to:

• Go to work because it is impossible to work remotely;
• Purchase or provide essentials, such as food and medicine;
• Attend medical or healthcare needs, including a Covid-19 vaccine or test; and
• Exercise with a maximum of two adults from the same household (children are not counted), for one hour per day within a 5km radius.

Anyone who leaves home must wear a mask and follow other restrictions too.