Western Australia has recorded another day of zero new cases of COVID-19, as the total number of active cases in the state dropped overnight.
Key points:
- WA has recorded zero new cases on three out of the past four days
- Health Minister Roger Cook says it is "an outstanding result" for the state
- Hand sanitiser stocks will be boosted at WA hospitals under a new plan
It is the third day this week there has been zero growth in the state's outbreak, while the number of active cases has fallen from 88 to 81 after seven people recovered overnight.
WA Health Minister Roger Cook, who has repeatedly urged against complacency in recent days as the state's curve has flattened, said it was "another great day in Western Australia".
"We've had zero cases overnight for two days in a row now," he said.
"That means our state's total remains at 546, an outstanding result for the people of Western Australia."
There are 24 patients still in Perth metropolitan hospitals suffering from coronavirus, with five of them in intensive care.
Of the 81 remaining active cases, eight of those are in regional WA.
Expanded testing will ensure 'extra vigilance'
Mr Cook said more than 1,000 people were being tested for the virus in WA each day.
"In addition to that, we are also doing random testing of our respiratory panels. They are the testing samples that are supplied by GPs for people with respiratory illnesses," he said.
"We continue to have very good vigilance in relation to that."
The Minister said the Government was continuing to work on its plan to start testing other parts of the community where people were not showing symptoms.
"[That is] to ensure that we have got extra vigilance in relation to any outbreak of the disease," he said.
"The testing continues to be expanded in both scope and volume and the results that we have today are a testament to the effectiveness of that testing regime."
Plan for less 'invasive' school test
Mr Cook said authorities hoped to start testing school groups by week two of the upcoming term, with public schools set to return next Wednesday.
But he said they were looking for an alternative testing swab to be used on children, saying the current process was "particularly invasive".
"The [test] requires the swab to be put deep down the back of the mouth and in the nasal cavities. It's not particularly pleasant, but it is the best way that we can test for it," he said.
He announced the State Government was committing $1.7 million for the manufacturing of clinical-grade hand sanitiser within the state to boost stocks at WA hospitals.
Mr Cook said a local manufacturer would deliver 200,000 bottles throughout the year.
"It means that as a community we are more resilient when it comes to our medical supply chains," he said.
Lives could 'potentially' look very different next week
The Minister said a cautious approach continued to be taken as the Government considered when and how restrictions might be eased.
"You take a little step, you test and you monitor the effect of that measure, then you take another step," he said.
"We are continuing to look at what we can do in the early stages. At the moment, opening up our schools is our priority."
Mr Cook said the lives of West Australians could "potentially" look very different even in a week's time.
"Potentially, what I've discovered throughout the COVID-19 pandemic experience is that each week looks very different from the last," he said.
What you need to know about coronavirus:
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiZ2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTA0LTIzL3plcm8tbmV3LXdhLWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWluZmVjdGlvbnMtYXMtYWN0aXZlLWNhc2VzLWRyb3AvMTIxNzYwODLSASZodHRwOi8vYW1wLmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS8xMjE3NjA4Mg?oc=5
2020-04-23 06:14:42Z
52780742997420
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Coronavirus cases drop again in WA after second day straight with no new COVID-19 infections - ABC News"
Post a Comment