Genomic testing reveals Brazilian strain of COVID-19 in returned overseas traveller in Western Australia

The highly contagious Brazilian strain of COVID-19 has been detected in one state — only the third time it has occurred in Australia.

The fast-spreading Brazilian strain of COVID-19 has been detected in a returned overseas traveller in Western Australia’s hotel quarantine system.

It is only the third case of its type recorded in Australia and was discovered through genomic testing.

“The Brazilian variant is one of the more virulent strains of the virus but that person was managed appropriately and has now recovered,” Premier Mark McGowan told reporters on Thursday.

A WA Health Department spokeswoman told NCA NewsWire there had previously been two cases of the Brazilian strain in New South Wales.

In total, WA has recorded 28 cases of the highly contagious UK strain and 11 of the South African variant.

Premier Mark McGowan said genomic testing had detected the Brazilian strain. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tony McDonough

Meanwhile, the McGowan government is examining the legality of forcing hotel quarantine workers to get vaccinated against coronavirus.

The Premier said every police officer working in the hotel quarantine system had been vaccinated but among other staff it depended on their roles.

“Some people working there have had an over 80 per cent vaccination rate, others significantly lower, but it does grow every day,” he said.

“What I would like to do though is encourage everyone who’s eligible to get the vaccine to get the vaccine.

“We are looking at what measures we can put in place around people working in quarantine to encourage, very strongly, the take up of the vaccine.

“All legal options are now being investigated by the state government.”

More than 53,000 vaccinations have been administered in Western Australia so far. Picture: WA Health Department/Josh Fernandes via NCA NewsWire

WA recorded two new cases of COVID-19 overnight — a man aged in his 50s and an 11-month-old boy — and both are in hotel quarantine.

It brings the state’s total number of confirmed cases to 944, including 17 active cases.

WA’s Health Department has administered more than 53,000 COVID-19 vaccinations, including more than 7000 people who have received both doses.