FROM Monday, September 5 the public Covid-19 clinic located at Joondalup Hospital will continue to offer free PCR testing without a referral.
But from October 1, a referral from a GP or a medical practitioner will be required to access PCR testing at clinics operated by private pathology providers.
On Tuesday WA Health said opening hours at public testing clinics would change to 8am – 4pm, seven days a week.
But PCR testing arrangements in regional areas will not change.
WA Health said the changes to Covid-19 testing clinics followed low case numbers, a significant reduction in the demand for PCR testing and the increased availability of rapid antigen tests (RATs) across Western Australia.
Between July 1 and August 1 this year 107,326 Covid-19 cases were identified in WA using RATs, compared with 59,854 cases identified via PCR testing.
Chief health officer Andy Robertson said WA Health would continue to closely monitor the situation and make further adjustments that were required to keep Western Australians safe.
Dr Robertson thanked testing clinic staff for their ongoing commitment to WA’s Covid response
“Covid testing clinics have been an essential part of our Covid-19 response,’’ he said.
“Everyone should continue to practise good hygiene habits, stay up to date with vaccinations and stay home if unwell or experiencing symptoms, even if testing negative to Covid-19.
Currently every WA household is able to collect 20 RATs from drive-through collection points and Covid-19 vaccination clinics in the metropolitan area as well as Covid-19 testing clinics in regional areas.
Today WA Health reported 1211 new cases to 4pm last night with 6682 active cases in the state.
The latest figures from overnight show, there were 217 people with Covid-19 in hospital with five in ICU.
Today’s report included one death, dating back to 26 August, which was reported to WA Health yesterday – a man in his 80s.
Of the 1211 cases, 358 were confirmed via PCR test, the remaining 853 were self-reported positive rapid antigen tests.
A total of 3123 PCR tests were conducted at either state-run or private pathology clinics yesterday.
WA has recorded more than 1.13 million cases since the Covid-19 pandemic started.
The World Health Organization latest update (September 1) says 599.8 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 6.46 million confirmed deaths.
