Health

COVID WRAP: WA records 26 new local cases, state halves quarantine, opposition slams the government for withholding Omicron modelling and MinRes rolls out a new contact tracing app.

The number of active COVID cases in Western Australia has exceeded 200 overnight, as the state attempts to tackle COVID spread in schools by limiting in-school gatherings.

A contentious privatised parking contract could be the linchpin for $3 billion of projects at the QEII medical centre.

The Department of Health is stepping up its investment in human resources management, awarding two contracts worth a combined $220 million to Deloitte and SAP Australia.

Three mystery cases have been recorded among today's 19 new local COVID cases, as the University of Western Australia becomes the state's first to restrict access for the unvaccinated.

Emergency department waiting times are among the worst in the country, but elective surgery performance is on par, data released this week shows.

Western Australia has recorded 17 new local cases of COVID-19 overnight, as the state government launches its third-dose vaccination blitz.

The delayed opening of WA’s border has given organisations caring for vulnerable people additional time to prepare for challenges associated with a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Western Australia has recorded 13 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 overnight, including another five mystery cases.

Labor has hit out at a federal government proposal to give aged care workers a $800 bonus, calling the boost a "sugar hit" which ignored other problems.

The state opposition has called for WA’s borders to reopen on or before March 5, citing concerns about waning immunity in the community.

Western Australia has recorded 12 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 overnight, more than half of whom are linked to the Northbridge nightclub cluster.

Richard Goyder has become the latest executive to shun WA over the indefinite border backflip, confirming he will venture east for the foreseeable future.

WA has recorded nine new local cases of COVID-19, as the state government unveils the new protocols that will come into effect when cases inevitably surge.

Resonance Health will enter the Chinese market after being contracted by Chinese pharmaceutical company Hangzhou Zede Pharma-Tech Co.

Western Australia has recorded 10 new local cases of COVID-19 overnight, as growing clusters prompt the expansion of the mask mandate to the Wheatbelt and the Great Southern.

A further 14 new local COVID cases have been recorded in Western Australia overnight, including two cases of unknown origin.

Police Commissioner Chris Dawson’s deputy Gary Dreibergs will succeed him as the state’s vaccine commander, as the vaccine rollout reaches school-aged children.

Western Australia has recorded 13 new local cases of COVID-19 overnight, as the Coolbellup cluster continues to grow.

WA has recorded seven new local cases of COVID-19, while Mark McGowan says his border opening delay has received strong support.

Delaying the reopening of the state’s borders is an admission of failure to prepare the health system, Liberal leader David Honey says.

The planned February 5 reopening of the state's borders has been cancelled amid a surge in Omicron-driven hospitalisations on the east coast, but Mark McGowan has promised a more compassionate approach.

Andrew Forrest-backed Emyria is slated to start human clinical trials within weeks for a cannabinoid drug to treat psychological distress.

The ANF has pleaded with the government not to reopen the border on February 5 after detailing the conflicting advice received by healthcare workers linked to yesterday’s COVID case.

A pharmaceutical company specialising in the treatment of common colds and viral diseases will list on the ASX this month, having raised $7 million through an IPO.

WA has recorded five new local cases of COVID-19 overnight, including another case who contracted the virus from an unknown source.

Genesis Health + Fitness franchise network will introduce three new sites in Western Australia, converting high-profile fitness personality Adam Bailey’s pre-existing Bailey Fitness clubs.

WA has recorded another two local cases of COVID-19 overnight, one having contracted the virus from an unknown source.

WA’s health budget has tripled during the past 15 years, but there are concerns about patient outcomes amid workforce, bureaucracy and governance pressures.

A panel to review governance in the state's health system will include the premier's former deputy chief of staff and the former head of Victorian health who resigned weeks after a hotel quarantine inquiry.

Western Australia has recorded two new local cases of COVID-19 overnight, both of which are connected to the ever-growing Cockburn Omicron cluster.

HBF’s expansion spree has rolled on apace this year, with the not-for-profit health insurer moving to acquire WA-based allied health outfit Life Ready Health Group.