A bungle linked to Catholic Education students meant more than 1000 Covid-19 infections were not properly recorded in Western Australia.
WA Health said in a statement on Friday that 1110 rapid antigen test cases, which dated as far back as March 11, were not previously reported.
“This relates to an online portal, which Catholic Education WA uses to assist in contact tracing with its schools,” WA Health said.
“A misunderstanding from some people using the online portal, not also reporting positive RAT results to WA Health.
“Cases and contacts involved followed the public health advice. There was no public health impact as a result of this data matter.”
Catholic Education WA executive director Debra Sayce said while it was reassuring that parents were being vigilant about letting schools know if their children had tested positive, it appeared some parents had not reported positive RAT results to the government.
“At all times, Catholic schools have followed WA Health directives and communicated to parents that they are required to report a positive Covid result on the online WA Health RAT register,” Dr Sayce said.
“In addition to the compulsory reporting, parents in Catholic schools have been asked to notify their child’s school through a self-reporting app developed as the state transitioned to a very high caseload setting.
“All positive cases reported to Catholic schools have been provided with directions in relation to isolation requirements, close contacts and return to school procedures in accordance with WA Health guidelines.”
Dr Sayce said CEWA’s self-reporting portal had made it significantly easier for parents to let their school know if their child tested positive.
It comes as WA reported 6892 new infections overnight, taking the total number of active cases to 46,022.
There are now 243 people with Covid-19 in hospital, including six in intensive caxjmtzywre.
Two historical deaths were also reported – two women aged in their 80s.
“Due to patient confidentiality, no further information will be released by the department on these deaths,” the statement read.
More than 4000 of the new cases overnight were identified via RATs.
WA has a third dose vaccination rate of 76.5 per cent for people age 16 and over.
Premier Mark McGowan is facing increasing pressure to scrap the mask mandate, but he has so far remained firm that the restriction will remain in place for some time.
