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COVID in WA: State’s new virus figures below 2000 again

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Kate PhillipsThe West Australian
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The last time the COVID figures were this low was more than four months ago on March 1, when 1179 cases were reported.
Camera IconThe last time the COVID figures were this low was more than four months ago on March 1, when 1179 cases were reported. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Just 1605 COVID-19 cases were recorded in WA on Monday, making it the second day in a row the State recorded daily case numbers under 2000.

Before Sunday - when 1559 new cases were revealed - the last time the COVID figures were this low was more than four months ago on March 1, when 1179 cases were reported.

A total of 303 people with the virus are in WA hospitals, nine are in ICU.

Two deaths were also reported, a man in his 90’s and a woman in her 80’s, dating back to 9 August.

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The low cases come as WA Chief Health Officer Dr Andy Robertson on Saturday said it appeared WA had dodged a bullet.

“Week on week, we are seeing our numbers fall,” Dr Robertson said.

“Our total active cases is just over 15,000 — we haven’t been at this level since mid-March.

“We are tracking down. There is no indication that we won’t continue to track down.

“We are over the worst of this wave. (But) we could get future waves.”

The CHO’s comments come as the Australian Government, Moderna and the Victorian Government signed a ten-year agreement to manufacture mRNA vaccines in Australia.

Under the agreements, an mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility will be built at Monash University.

Moderna will also establish its headquarters and a Regional Research Centre in Victoria.

Once operational, the facility will be able to produce up to 100 million vaccine doses every year.

“This agreement means that Victoria will be home to Moderna’s only mRNA manufacturing and finishing centre in the Southern Hemisphere,” said Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.

“We have the skills and the equipment needed to deliver this vital onshore capability - it will save lives, create jobs and strengthen Victoria’s position as a national leader in medical manufacturing.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the COVID-19 pandemic is a once-in-a-generation challenge.

“That gives us a once in a generation opportunity to come back stronger and better than ever, “ Mr Albanese said.

“The pandemic has shown us how important local manufacturing capability is to our security and to our health.”

“This significant deal will protect Australians and Australian sovereignty.”

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