Scientists have produced evidence that the pandemic virus is 'uniquely adapted to infect humans', raising fresh questions over whether its origins were natural or could have occurred in a laboratory.
Where did the Coronavirus 19 Originate from? and anything relative to the virus.
Where did the Coronavirus 19 originate from? and anything relative to the virus.
Coronavirus is 'uniquely adapted to infect humans': Top vaccine scientist says it could only have come from an animal through a 'freak of nature' - and the possibility it leaked from Wuhan lab MUST be investigated
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The indomitable Casey Briggs has been going through the data and the new figures show the overall burden on the health system is lower than scenario modelling released by the government at the start of the year.
It brings the total number of active cases in the state to 90, with 24 in hotel quarantine and the rest in self-quarantine.
Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said this was the start of Omicron in WA.
"I think it's clear that we're not going to eliminate Omicron, it's now about how we suppress and manage Omicron," she said.
"That's our intention as a government and certainly that's the advice of the Chief Health Officer.
"He was very clear that it can't be eliminated because it's so transmissible."
Ms Sanderson said it was not yet clear how many of Sunday's cases had been infectious in the community.
The Minister used today's case numbers to plead with the public to get tested if they had symptoms, regardless of whether they have been to an exposure site.
She said 4,743 tests were conducted yesterday.
A sensible idea from a politician
Australia/New Zealand COVID-19 update 17 January 2022
Australia wide — 58,696 new cases; 717,936 active cases; 5,046 in hospital; 411 in ICU; 31 deaths.
• NSW: 29,504 new cases, 338,613 active cases, 2,776 in hospital, 203 in ICU, 17 deaths.
• VIC: 22,429 new cases, 245,040 active cases, 1,229 in hospital, 129 in ICU, 6 deaths.
• QLD: 15,122 new cases, 86,953 active cases (data cleansed), 702 in hospital, 47 in ICU, 7 deaths.
• ACT: 1,601 new cases, 3,205 active cases, 52 in hospital, 4 in ICU, 1 death.
• TAS: 1,037 new cases, 6,365 active cases, 21 in hospital, 1 in ICU.
• SA: 3,829 new cases, 33,703 active cases, 227 in hospital, 26 in ICU.
• WA: 12 new cases (3 local), 106 active cases, 0 in hospital, 0 in ICU.
• NT: 284 new cases, 3,951 active cases, 39 in hospital, 1 in ICU.
• NEW ZEALAND: 58 new cases (16 local), 8,165 tests, 545 active cases, 30 in hospital, 2 in ICU.