Western Australia’s Covid cases spike and two more deaths recorded as restrictions ease

Western Australia has recorded two more deaths as the number of new Covid-19 infections surpassed 8000 on the day some restrictions eased.

WA Health reported 8144 new infections overnight — up from 7426 the previous day — taking the total number of active cases to 40,539.

There are now 200 people with Covid-19 in hospital — down from 215 the previous day — including five in intensive cxjmtzyware.

The two historical deaths are a woman aged in her 90s and a woman aged in her 60s.

“Due to patient confidentiality, no further information will be released by the department on these deaths,” a statement read on Thursday.

Among the new cases, 3373 were confirmed via PCR tests, while the remaining 4771 were identified from self-reported positive rapid antigen tests.

A total of 12,690 PCR tests were conducted on Wednesday and WA Health said public testing clinics would remain open over the Easter long weekend.

WA has a third dose vaccination rate of 77.7 per cent for people aged 16 and over.

It came as some restrictions eased on Thursday — just in time for Easter — including scrapping check-ins everywhere except hospitals and ditching 500-person capacity limits at venues and caps on private gatherings.

But Premier Mark McGowan has still refused to set a date for when the indoor mask mandate will end.

WA has now also adopted the national definition of close contacts.

It means only household members and intimate partners of positive cases will be forced to isolate, as well as those who have spent at least four hours of cumulative contact, without wearing a mask, in a home with a positive case.