The state has recorded one coronavirus death and two infections overnight. Roger Cook has urged Western Australians to only leave home for essential purposes. Scott Morrison says social distancing measures will not apply in classrooms.
Roger Cook has urged Western Australians to only leave home for essential purposes. Photo: Gabriel Oliveira
- Western Australia has reported one new death as a result of the coronavirus after a 70-year-old Artania cruise ship passenger passed away at Sir Charles Gairdner hospital yesterday.
- It is the eighth COVID-19 death in the state, and fourth death linked to cruise ships.
- Health Minister Roger Cook said the German passenger was in intensive care for a long period of time. “This is a really difficult period for both his family in Germany but also for the health staff that provided care for this gentleman,” he said.
- The news comes as WA recorded two new COVID-19 cases overnight, bringing the state’s total to 548.
- Of the new cases, one is a returned traveller from the UK who had been isolating in a Perth hotel. The other case is currently being investigated.
- The number of active COVID-19 cases has improved, falling from 81 to 76 in the past 24 hours. There are 20 patients in Perth hospitals, including four in intensive care.
- There have been 464 recoveries from the virus in WA.
- The health minister encouraged Western Australians to only leave their homes for essential purposes over the Anzac Day long weekend.
- “We know that it’s a long weekend, we know the weather’s been great and that these low numbers are encouraging people to believe that perhaps we’re getting through this,” Mr Cook said.
- “We’re not. The virus will be with us for a long time to come. Only once we have a vaccine will we have an exit strategy.”
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged Australians to download the COVID-19 contact tracing app, to be released soon. Mr Morrison wants at least 40 per cent of the population to sign up.
- The prime minister said today social distancing rules would not apply to Australian classrooms when students begin Term 2 next week. “The 1.5 metre in classrooms and the four-square-metre rule is not a requirement of the expert medical advice in classrooms,” Mr Morrison said. Schools have remained open for children of essential workers.
- Enrolments for the federal government's $130 billion JobKeeper payment opened at the start of the week. Around 900,000 businesses covering around 2.4 million employees have registered for scheme, which will see $1,500 per fortnight paid to employees.
