New plans for dealing with the pandemic have been released by WA Health to deal with a high level COVID-19 caseload environment.
Preparing for the outcome, WA Health said a new close-contact definition would apply and new testing and isolation protocols would be put into effect.
It said the use of Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) would form part of the new testing and isolation protocols once these come into effect, with PCR testing to continue in some circumstances.
“A registration system for positive RAT results will be in place with more details to be released ahead of these settings taking effect,” WA Health said.
“In line with the national approach, casual contacts will cease, meaning casual contacts will no longer be subject to testing and isolation as a matter of course,” it said.
“However, people who experience symptoms should get a PCR test immediately.”
Minister for Health, Amber-Jade Sanderson said that at present there were only a small number of COVID-19 cases in the community but with the highly-contagious Omicron variant, that was unlikely to continue.
“These new protocols will be enacted when we reach a high caseload environment to ensure vital services and business can continue without significant furloughing of staff,” Ms Sanderson said.
“Rapid Antigen Tests aren’t recommended until there is widespread community transmission, with PCR tests still required until we move to these new protocols,” she said.
