One of WA Premier Mark McGowan‘s children has been hospitalised in a serious condition after contracting Covid-19.
Mr McGowan confirmed on Friday night his child was receiving ongoing treatment.
“The child is fully vaccinated, however, was in a serious condition as a result of the infection,” a statement from his office said.
“The child remains in hospital and is receiving ongoing treatment.
“The McGowan family asks for privacy regarding this situation at this dxjmtzywifficult time.”
Mr McGowan has three children – two teenage sons and a young daughter.
The Premier revealed on Wednesday he was isolating at home for seven days after being deemed a close contact.
He tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday.
“Yesterday I undertook another PCR test and the result came back positive,” Mr McGowan said.
“It is not surprising considering one of my family members is positive.”
The Premier said in accordance with health protocols he would continue to quarantine and work from home until at least next Thursday.
“I will continue to quarantine and work from home over this period,” he said.
The Premier is scheduled to attend federal Labor’s election campaign launch in Perth on May 1.
Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese also tested positive for Covid on Thursday, scrapping plans to travel to WA for the next week of campaigning.
Both men are expected to be out of isolation in time for Labor’s campaign launch.
Mr McGowan did not share how he was feeling but thanked staff at testing clinics and healthcare workers across the state.
He thanked health staff for caring for his family and all Western Australians affected by the virus.
“Their ongoing efforts have enabled us to not only detect and monitor the spread of Covid-19 in the community, but also allowed us to keep on top of the evolving challenge we are navigating throughout our state,” Mr McGowan said.
“I would also like to acknowledge the vital contribution of our committed health workers who have not only cared for my family, but also the many Western Australians who have been affected by this virus.
“The WA community has been fantastic throughout this global pandemic, and WA’s success to date is a credit to each and every Western Australian who continues to follow the health guidelines and keep our community safe.”
WA underwent the strictest domestic border closures in the country, remaining closed to the rest of the country for the majority of the pandemic.
The state opened to interstate and overseas with vaccination and testing requirements on March 3 this year.
The Premier faced harsh criticism including death threats for keeping the state shut for such a prolonged period.
At the time, Mr McGowan said vaccination rates had made it possible to reopen with the least amount of threat to the community.
On Friday the state recorded 8777 new cases of the virus, with 42,613 active cases.
There were 258 people hospitalised in the state with the virus and nine in intensive care.
