WA to introduce tougher COVID-19 restrictions from Thursday as cases in remote communities revealed as false positives

WA will introduce stricter COVID-19 restrictions from Thursday, with the peak of infections now expected to arrive earlier than forecast.

But those restrictions will be less severe than what was initially flagged, with some venues keeping a two-square-metre capacity limit, while others will move to the four-square-metre rule.

It comes after WA recorded 1,136 new local COVID cases, its highest daily total on record and the fourth day in a row the state has topped 1,000 daily cases.

Figures from the Health Department reveal an additional four travel-related cases, bringing to 5,540 the total number of active cases in the state.

However, the number of COVID cases in Western Australia’s far north has been significantly reduced, with cases initially reported as COVID in two remote Kimberley communities now revealed to be a different virus.

There are 11 people in hospital with COVID, none of whom are in intensive care.

In announcing the introduction of ‘level two’ restrictions, Premier Mark McGowan said the peak of infections was now expected in the next “two to three weeks”, rather than the end of March as initially forecast.

“Therefore, if we want a set of measures to be effective, they need to come in sooner rather than later,” he said.

From 12:01am on Thursday, the same day WA’s borders fully reopen, the following rules will apply:

• Mask mandates expanded to children in Year 3 and above
• Hospitality, fitness, entertainment and other venues will stay at the two-square-metre rule, capped at 150 patrons
• Seated and forward-facing venues, like theatres and cinemas, will be limited to 50 per cent capacity
• Nightclubs will remain with the two-square-metre rule, with the 150-person limit
• Outdoor events will be limited to the two-square-metre rule and capped at 500 people.

Mr McGowan said the adjusted rules reflected WA’s high vaccination rates.

Just over 6,000 people presented for a PCR test yesterday, while there were 476 self-reported rapid antigen tests. 

Case in remote WA communities false positives

The ABC understands that all 44 cases in Bidyadanga and 11 in Beagle Bay have been reclassified after additional testing by PathWest revealed the false positives.

In a statement this afternoon, a Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services spokesman said the results had become apparent after additional testing in Perth.

“Expert medical scientists, including those from the Department of Health, have scrutinised the tests, and believe that the illness detected in Bidyadanga and Beagle Bay is not COVID-19,” the statement reads.

“However, we are currently still awaiting results on a number of tests.

“Weak detection results using PCR tests can occur because of detection early or late in the course of infection, or occasionally they can be false positives.”

Kimberley COVID cases down to three

The news leaves the current number of active COVID cases in the Kimberley at three, with two cases detected in Halls Creek and one in Broome.

News of positive cases in Bidyadanga, WA’s largest remote community, sparked alarm last week, with the community’s leadership deciding to enter a voluntary lockdown with support from Health authorities and WA Police.

Residents in Bidyadanga and Beagle Bay received the news at community meetings on Monday afternoon.