Western Australia state reintroduces mask mandate after COVID-19 spike

Surging COVID cases in Western Australia have seen the first public health measures introduced since the state's COVID-19 'state of emergency' declaration was dropped.

From November 20, all staff and patients in high-risk hospital clinical areas must wear masks, ABC reports.

WA Premier Roger Cook said the decision was made after a noticeable increase in COVID-19 cases in the community.

"As a result, there has been a rise in COVID hospitalisations and health staff off sick," he said in a message posted to his social media pages.

"We need to do what we can to make sure we're keeping each other safe — especially our most vulnerable."

Masks will need to be worn around vulnerable patients in wards such as haematology, oncology, organ transplant and renal dialysis. 

Mr Cook said mask-wearing was also recommended for all healthcare facility staff and visitors in all clinical areas. 

COVID cases have been rising in WA since early September, with a spike in hospitalisations and in cases amongst residents of aged care homes.

There are 201 patients in hospital with COVID this week, up from 134 at the start of the month.

Hospitalisations remain lower than the levels reached during the two most recent COVID peaks in WA, which saw 268 COVID hospitalisations in December 2022, and 258 in May 2023.

"It's an expected part of the ongoing evolution of COVID-19 in the community as people's immunity wanes over time," the daily quoted State Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson as saying.

He also advised private hospitals and aged care facilities to strengthen mask-wearing requirements for staff and visitors.

During last week, 531 cases were reported in the state and 57 of them were admitted to hospital while four people lost their lives, according to the report.