New Covid-19 death as number of cases in Western Australia soars

A woman has died in Western Australia after contracting Covid-19, while the number of active cases has spiked ahead of the peak of Omicron.

An elderly woman has died after contracting Covid-19, while the number of new infections overnight in Western Australia has soared passed 6000 as the state nears the peak of Omicron.

A total of 6062 new infections were recorded overnight, taking the total number of active cases to 28,772.

“WA Health can confirm a female in her eighties has passed away,” a statement read.

There are now 123 people with Covid-19 in hospital, including two in intensive care.

The number of infections diagnosed via rapid antigen tests overnight was more than 3000.

WA’s third dose vaccination rate for people ages over 16 is now at 71.1 per cent.

This is our WA COVID-19 update for Wednesday, 16 March 2022.

For official information on COVID-19 in WA, visit https://t.co/zTYXZD1B7Rhttps://t.co/n2o59WsA6opic.twitter.com/bNA5Sl5qWR

— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) March 16, 2022

It was revealed on Tuesday that every household in WA would receive 15 free RATs.

Premier Mark McGowan previously announced households would get five tests after completing registration, but that number has now risen to 15.

“Due to international events, there is no doubt petrol prices are impacting cost of living pressures in WA, and we want to make sure this doesn’t prevent WA households from having access to RAT tests,” he said.

“The 15 free RATs will go some way in helping households alleviate some of the financial burden they would otherwise face with the purchase of RATs.

“The reporting of positive RATs is starting to outweigh the reporting of positive PCR tests and the provision of these free RATs will ensure people have them on-hand as they need them — for ease and convenience.”

Originally published as New Covid-19 death as number of cases in Western Australia soars