COVID-19 update – 20 October 2020

The Department of Health has reported 24 new cases of COVID-19 overnight – all are crew from the AL Messilah livestock carrier who returned positive tests yesterday.

The 24 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases plus an additional 12 close contacts have now been moved off the vessel and are in State-run hotel quarantine.

Included in the close contacts was an Australian veterinarian who boarded the AL Messilah, ahead of its anticipated onward voyage.

The AL Messilah remains docked at Fremantle Port with 16 essential crew on board. Loading of livestock has been delayed.

In addition, a second crew member on the bulk carrier Key Integrity – also docked at Fremantle Port – has tested positive to COVID-19. The remaining 18 crew have returned negative tests.

The Department of Health is working closely with the vessel owner, shipping agent, Fremantle Port and Australian Maritime Safety Authority to manage the vessel. The crew currently remains on board and the two positive cases are isolating in their cabins.

The State’s total confirmed cases now stands at 738.

There are 44 active cases being monitored by WA Health and 685 people have recovered from the virus in WA.

Note: the one new case from the Key Integrity will be included in tomorrow’s reported figures and active case numbers.

Yesterday 755 people presented to WA COVID-19 clinics – 736 were assessed and 733 swabbed.

There have been 466,070 COVID-19 tests performed in WA. Of those tested, 79,189 were from regional WA.

Visit WA Health’s HealthyWA website for the latest information on COVID-19.

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