Three new coronavirus cases in WA

THREE more people have been diagnosed with coronavirus in WA, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the state to nine.

The news was revealed by WA Premier Mark McGowan at a press conference this morning to announce an updated WA Government Pandemic Plan in response to COVID-19.

The two men and one woman had travelled to Europe, the UK and US.

They are all stable and in home isolation.

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“They have been identified via testing,” Mr McGowan told reporters.

“Furthermore we had hundreds of tests undertaken yesterday at the COVID clinics, we will expect hundreds more to be conducted today.

“I’m expecting that there will be further cases identified as a result of that testing.”

The Pandemic Plan, which was last updated in 2014, sets out arrangements for protecting the community and minimising potential impacts of the coronavirus, and recovery afterwards.

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According to the government, sustained community transmission of the virus will signal an imminent pandemic.

Currently WA’s emergency management is at the ‘response’ stage, in line with the National Communicable Disease Plan.

Members of the public can telephone the COVID-19 Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 for advice and find more information, including specific clinic locations, by visiting http://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au

The Western Australian Government Pandemic Plan is available at http://www.wa.gov.au/covid19

“I understand there is considerable public concern regarding COVID-19 and want to reassure Western Australians that we are prepared and have the ability and capability to respond to and recover from a pandemic situation,” Mr McGowan said.

“We need to be prepared for a pandemic, my Government is taking this very seriously.

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“Every action we take and decision we make is to protect Western Australians.

“Good planning means we need to consider every scenario and the Western Australian Government Pandemic Plan, together with other specific and detailed health and emergency management plans already activated, prepares us for every possible scenario.

“The Government will continue to deliver essential services and I encourage the community, private businesses, households and individuals to stay calm and prepare but there is no need to panic.

“We are looking to the WA community for their goodwill and co-operation over the coming months.

“Continue to go about your ordinary business and if the situation changes, we will provide you with timely advice on what to do.”

The Department of Health has updated their list of locations confirmed COVID-19 cases have visited.

Anyone who were in the following flights are asked to contact their local Public Health Unit:

• Emirates flight EK420 from Dubai to Perth which arrived on March 2, particularly passengers sitting in rows 81 – 85.
• QANTAS flight QF10 from London to Perth which arrived on March 5, particularly passengers sitting in rows 40 – 44.
• Emirates flight EK 0420 from Dubai to Perth which arrived on March 8, particularly passengers sitting in row 47.
• QANTAS flight from Sydney to Perth which arrived on March 9.

Please provide your name, contact details, flight, seat number and any symptoms of COVID-19 such as shortness of breath or cough, with or without a fever.