No new coronavirus cases reported in WA but Health Minister Roger Cook says we should brace for more as restrictions ease

There were zero new cases of COVID-19 in WA overnight meaning there has only been one new positive virus carrier in the past 12 days.

Minister for Health Roger Cook defended the level of proposed restriction relaxation to come into force from May 18 saying WA was anticipating new community cases of the virus.

“We believe it will be inevitable there will be some new cases out there in the community,” he said.

“With these new cases we stand ready, we stand prepared to respond, we can test, we can trace, we can isolate.”

The latest case of coronavirus in WA was a 29-year-old female in hotel quarantine who had recently returned from overseas.

There are still seven active cases of the virus in the state including four people in hospital and one of those cases in an intensive care unit.

Minster for Tourism Paul Papalia said the government appreciated the North West and Kimberley regions were doing it tough but it was following health advice on how to reopen the state.

“What you’ve seen to date is the first stage of a phased process to get back to the new normal, we should be thankful we’re in a position to move far faster than anywhere else in the country,” he said.

COVID-19 hygiene training for the hospitality sector has seen 35,000 West Australians complete the online training.

The training is mandatory for venues in WA which want to reopen.