Western Australia’s COVID-19 cases were tipped to peak at about 10,000 infections this week but instead numbers appear to be falling, suggesting the height of Omicron has already arrived.
The State recorded 6176 new cases overnight — compared to 7151 the day before — taking the total number of infections to 33,101.
There are now 134 people in hospital, including four patients in intensive care.
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Among the new infections, 3177 were confirmed via rapid antigen tests and 2999 came via PCR tests.
Last week, chief health officer Andy Robertson said the modelling predicted the caseload peak would be between March 14 and 18.
Hospital numbers would then peak about seven to nine days later, he said.
WA has a third dose vaccination rate of 71.8 per cent for people aged 16 and over.
Premier Mark McGowan told parliament on Thursday that WA’s very high third dose vaccination rate had led to the low hospitalisation numbers even with the peak “only days away”.
“At the same time, in their Omicron outbreaks, NSW had 625 people in hospital, South Australia had 214 people in hospital,” he said.
“Although we are not through this outbreak yet — and I do not want to be too premature — what this shows is that the vaccination levels and the efforts that the state government has gone to to keep Western Australians safe has paid an enormous dividend for the people of Western Australia and … our health system but also our state’s economy.”
Meanwhile a COVID-19 testing regime that has not been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration xjmtzywwill be used to collect data in Western Australia amid fears the virus is spreading undetected in the community.
From Saturday, a team of 15 researchers will begin doorknocking at random households across the metropolitan area, requesting people take a COVID-19 test, but participation is voluntary.
About 875 people, a mix of adults, teens and children, will be asked to take part in the study over multiple weekends.
