Public Health

Management gameCOVID testing ramped up for returning West Aussies

West Australians quarantined in hotels after returning from overseas will now be tested at day two as well as day 12 following a review of procedures after a spike in coronavirus cases in Victoria.

Joe Spagnolo

Isolation riskCOVID rosters see FIFO mental distress soar

The toll of the COVID-19 crisis on WA’s FIFO workers is starting to show with 40 per cent of those surveyed reporting psychological distress — up from 33 per cent before the pandemic.

Vic outbreakAiming for zero cases ‘a fool’s errand’: CMO

Australia’s acting Chief Medical Officer has responded to criticism that an ‘elimination strategy’ could have prevented Victoria’s COVID-19 outbreak, as the State recorded another 73 cases today.

Sarah Ison

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Another health bombshell
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RPH worker quits over alleged contract corruption

Updated: A female clerical worker has resigned over allegations she used a false identity to win a contract at a Perth hospital, gaining her about $100,000 from the incident.

Phil Hickey

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Call for action
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Shocking number of WA-born ‘meth babies’ on rise

More WA babies are being born affected by methamphetamine, with ice driving an 80 per cent increase in the number of mums-to-be needing drug treatment at Perth’s main maternity hospital.

Angela Pownall

Coronavirus crisisVictoria records 41 new COVID-19 cases

Victoria has 41 fresh coronavirus cases as it notches an 11th day straight of double digit case numbers.

Christine McGinn

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International travel
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Plans to cut overseas quarantine to just two days

Two-week quarantine periods could be reduced for some countries to allow international travellers into Australia sooner rather than later - but not for one of WA’s favourite holiday destinations.

Lanai Scarr

Not againToilet paper hoarding back in Victoria

Woolworths has reimposed purchase limits and called for calm after toilet paper panic buying reared its ugly head in Victoria once again.

Coronavirus crisisVictoria reports new COVID-19 death as cases surge

A man in his 80s has died of coronavirus in Victoria, the first in the country in a month, as the state records 20 new cases.

Ruby Princess inquiryWaitress ‘sneezed’ in face of WA coronavirus victim

WA passenger Ann Kavanagh was shocked when a waitress on board the Ruby Princess sneezed in her face — not long before she found herself fighting for her life with coronavirus, an inquiry heard.

Lucy Hughes Jones

‘Absolutely ridiculous’Groundswell of anger over ‘deeply offensive’ nazi tweet

‘Unacceptable’ comments from Perth-based infectious disease specialist Clay Golledge have been slammed by both sides of politics, the AMA WA and the Jewish community with calls for an apology.

Josh Zimmerman & Caitlyn Rintoul

Lanai ScarrDefining legacy on mental health is within PM’s grasp

If the Morrison Government is serious on caring about mental health, the Budget on October 6 will headline on mental health reform. Done right, it could be a defining and lasting legacy.

Lanai ScarrFederal Political Editor

‘Lucky’No major COVID outbreak linked to BLM rallies: CMO

Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy says Australia has been ‘lucky’ in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests, with no major uptick in cases linked to the rallies.

Sarah Ison

West Live‘Mask up’ in public to stop virus spread: AMA

West Australians need to get over their qualms about wearing masks in public and accept ‘living alongside the virus’, AMA WA president Andrew Miller warns.

Caitlyn Rintoul

ExclusiveDeadly allergies surge but WA kids wait years for help

The number of WA children with anaphylaxis is rapidly rising, with two dying in recent years, yet vulnerable kids are waiting as long as five years to see a specialist.

Angela Pownall

Coronavirus pandemicAustralian researchers’ groundbreaking COVID drug

Australian researchers have reportedly made a global breakthrough on a new antiviral drug they believe can protect against COVID-19 infection.

Exclusive‘Mass burial’ plan for WA during peak of COVID panic

Land was prepared at two of Perth’s biggest cemeteries for more than 7000 ‘rapid burials’ at the height of fears a devastating coronavirus outbreak would sweep through WA.

Peter Law

EXCLUSIVEPerth doctors’ breakthrough in kids’ asthma research

Researchers believe they have discovered a way to develop the first definitive test for asthma in young children.

Angela Pownall

Bill shockWA shells out $15m in hotel quarantine bills

Revealing the cost for the first time in parliament Health Minister Roger Cook also said that of the 5700 quarantined travellers 128 had tested positive to COVID-19 while in self-isolation.

Josh Zimmerman

Waiting gameMcGowan tight-lipped as active virus cases falls to two

The number of active coronavirus cases in WA is now in single digits, however Premier Mark McGowan has given no indication of when our State’s hard border will reopen.

Peter Law

EXCLUSIVEAussie scientists getting to the heart of a cure

The West Australian can reveal Australian researchers are one step closer to finding a cure for a heart condition that is one of the biggest silent killers or young, healthy women.

Lanai Scarr

Healthcare heroesWA’s Healthcare Heroes: Full list of winners

West Australians have responded resoundingly to a $250,000 campaign to thank the State’s nurses with a luxury staycation at Crown Perth. Read the full list of winners here.

Angela Pownall

‘Issue of poverty’Perth BLM rally a ‘protest of frustration’: Ben Wyatt

The WA Treasurer says a tipping point has been reached over the time it has taken governments to address entrenched inequity, but still wants people to stay away in the interest of public health.

Josh Zimmerman

Controversial callBLM protest organisers seek temp tests, swabs for rally

The organisers of Perth’s Black Live Matters rally have requested “access to temperature testing” and coronavirus swabs for people attending Saturday’s protest.

Josh Zimmerman