Damon Mcknight
As of November 2022, Western Australia had ended its Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency protocols. The state had previously delayed its transition from COVID-zero in January 2022 due to the risk from the Omicron variant. However, a significant outbreak in February forced the government to reopen borders, as modelling predicted a negligible impact on case numbers. In November 2022, Australia recorded 88,212 new COVID-19 cases, but the number of active cases in Western Australia is unclear.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of confirmed cases | 1,293,461 |
| Total number of active cases | 4,400 |
| Percentage of population that is sick | 1 in every 610 inhabitants |
| Current incidence | 89.3 new cases per week per 100,000 inhabitants |
| Triple dose vaccination percentage | 26% |
| Reopening plans | Delayed indefinitely or until 80% of the population has received a triple dose vaccination |
| Restrictions | Outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people allowed for non-contact recreational activities |
| Number of active cases as of May 6, 2020 | 14 |
| Number of active cases in other states as of May 6, 2020 | 2 (South Australia), 1 (ACT), 44 (Tasmania), 3 (Northern Territory) |
| Number of active cases in Victoria as of January 30, 2022 | 78,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Western Australia's COVID-19 case count in early 2022
Premier McGowan stated that reopening according to the original plan would result in "deliberately seeding thousands upon thousands of COVID cases into WA," which he was not willing to do. The original reopening plan was based on the less transmissible Delta strain, not Omicron.
Western Australia's decision to remain closed off from the rest of the country highlighted the divided nature of Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic at the time. While Western Australia stayed shut, the eastern states were facing a surge in COVID-19 deaths.
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Western Australia's COVID-19 case count in 2020
As of May 6, 2020, Western Australia had 551 coronavirus cases, with 14 active cases. No new cases were reported on Wednesday. This was a significant development, as the state had reported 3045 total cases, with 581 active cases, on May 6, 2020.
The state of Victoria, where Melbourne is located, saw an outbreak at a meat processing plant in early May 2020, resulting in 17 new cases and extended restrictions until May 11. During this time, other states, such as South Australia, had gone weeks without reporting new cases. South Australia did record one case in June 2020, but authorities insisted it wouldn't count as the man who tested positive was not considered infectious.
Overall, Western Australia's COVID-19 case count in 2020 was dynamic, with periods of decline followed by surges in different parts of the country, requiring varying levels of restrictions and responses from authorities.
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Western Australia's COVID-19 restrictions
As of May 2020, Western Australia had 551 coronavirus cases, with 14 active cases. As of January 2022, Western Australia was the only state or territory that had not reopened its internal borders. The state premier, Mark McGowan, stated that reopening would be delayed until the percentage of triple-dose vaccinations reached 80%original plan formulated when the dominant COVID-19 variant was Delta, not Omicron.
Western Australia has implemented various restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19. These restrictions have included border closures and internal lockdowns. Western Australia has also followed general COVID-19 advice from the World Health Organization, which includes physical distancing, limiting gatherings, and staying home whenever possible.
Western Australia has also imposed restrictions on travel. In March 2022, Western Australia reopened its borders to vaccinated travellers. However, in January 2022, the state cancelled plans to reopen its borders, citing health risks from the surge of the Omicron variant in other states. Western Australia has been cautious in its approach to reopening, prioritizing the health and safety of its residents.
The state's restrictions have been part of a broader strategy to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. Western Australia has taken a cautious and careful approach, aiming to balance the health and economic impacts of the pandemic. The state's response has been guided by health experts and officials, who have provided advice and recommendations on the necessary measures to protect the public.
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Western Australia's border reopening plans
As of May 2020, Western Australia had 551 coronavirus cases, with 14 active cases. In January 2022, Western Australia delayed its plans to reopen its borders, citing the health risks posed by the surge in the Omicron COVID-19 variant in the eastern states. The state's premier, Mark McGowan, stated that reopening would be "reckless and irresponsible" given the rapid spread of Omicron, and that the original reopening plan did not account for this new variant. Instead, he asserted that the focus would be on increasing vaccination rates, with reopening delayed indefinitely or until the percentage of triple-dose vaccinations reached 80%.
Western Australia's decision to remain closed contrasted with the approach of other states and territories, which had reopened their internal borders under a policy of "living with COVID-19". Despite the record surge in cases across Australia, Western Australia's border restrictions remained in place, with Queenslanders also locked out due to Omicron concerns.
In preparation for the eventual reopening of borders, the Western Australian government launched the ServiceWA app to help manage the transition. The app allows users to show proof of vaccination, check-in with SafeWA, and access the G2G Pass for interstate travel. The state's vaccination rate was anticipated to reach 90% by the time borders reopened, with only fully vaccinated domestic travellers allowed entry without quarantine and a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival.
The reopening of Western Australia's borders was scheduled for 12:01 am on Saturday, February 5, 2022. Transitional restrictions were expected, including mask mandates for high-risk indoor settings and proof of vaccination for large events, nightclubs, and casinos. Entry to remote Indigenous communities would remain restricted, and further restrictions could be introduced if the 90% vaccination target was not met.
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Western Australia's COVID-19 hospitalisations
Western Australia has taken a different approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic compared to other Australian states. While other states have reopened their borders and eased restrictions, Western Australia (WA) has maintained stricter measures to protect its citizens.
In early 2022, WA cancelled plans to reopen its borders due to the surge in Omicron cases across the country. This decision was made by WA Premier Mark McGowan, who stated that it would be "reckless and irresponsible" to open up given the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. The focus shifted to increasing vaccination rates, with an emphasis on the importance of booster shots, and the state aimed for an 80% triple-dose vaccination rate before considering reopening.
Despite these efforts, COVID-19 cases continued to rise in WA, with a significant increase in local cases reported in February 2022, including the first cases in a remote Indigenous community. This surge in cases inevitably led to an increase in hospitalisations. By April 2022, hospitalisations for people with COVID-19 in WA were on the rise, with an overnight increase of 17 patients, bringing the total to 259 patients, and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions also rising from six to nine.
However, the situation in WA was still better than expected, with hospitalisations and ICU admissions tracking significantly below predictions. As a result, WA began to ease some COVID-19 restrictions, including density limits at hospitality venues and certain QR code requirements. Nonetheless, WA remained cautious, continuing to enforce wide-ranging mask mandates in indoor public venues, recognising the need for stable or declining hospitalisations and decreasing case numbers to sustain the easing of restrictions.
The management of the pandemic in WA highlights the state's commitment to a cautious and measured approach, prioritising the health and safety of its citizens, even as other states moved towards living with COVID-19.
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Frequently asked questions
There were 14 active cases of coronavirus in Western Australia as of May 2020.
As of May 2020, Western Australia had a total of 551 coronavirus cases.
No, Western Australia cancelled its plans to reopen its borders on February 5, 2022, due to the surge in Omicron cases in the eastern states.
Western Australia recorded 20 new local cases of COVID-19 in January 2022.
Around 1 in every 610 inhabitants of Western Australia is currently sick with coronavirus. In total, there have been 1,293,461 confirmed cases in the state.
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