COVID in WA: Downward trend continues as WA virus cases enter 3000s

The number of new COVID-19 cases in WA is continuing to trend down with 3544 fresh infections reported up until 6pm on Saturday.

WA Health figures showed there were 27,963 active cases, down 449 from the previous day. There were 250 people with COVID-19 in hospital, nine of them in intensive care.

The latest report also revealed two new COVID-related deaths of a man and a women dating back to June 20. Both were aged in their 80s.

The State has now recorded 884,323 cases since the global COVID-19 pandemic began, with 372 deaths.

Of the 3544 new cases, 1302 were confirmed by PCR testing and the remaining 2242 were self-reported positive rapid antigen tests.

With the use of rapid antigen tests outpacing PCR tests, the State Government announced on Thursday it would wind down four metropolitan PCR testing clinics from July 15, amid waning demand.

The decision would return 121 full-time equivalent staff to hospitals, it said.

WA’s daily tally has been generally tracking downwards since peaking at more than 17,000 around mid-May.

Most new cases were recorded in the metropolitan area (2921), with the next highest number coming from the South West (195).