“Gold standard” testing suggests COVID-19 is heading for extinction in WA

COVID-19 may be on the brink of extinction for Western Australia as “gold standard” testing measures continue to reveal a flattening curve with ongoing low case numbers for the State. With a number of private diagnostic companies offering a helping hand, the government’s ability to track community spread has positively progressed.

It has been two months since the pandemic first hit WA shores and there is still little to no evidence of community spread, even as testing continues to expand.

 Curtin University professor, Archie Clements suggested that the spread of coronavirus in WA may be slowing to a halt,“The epidemic is heading toward extinction in WA and while that doesn’t mean is isn’t coming back or we won’t see a resurgence, I think the curve is definitely heading towards extinction soon” he said.

Dr Clements commented on Western Australia’s natural isolation and accommodating community, the health department and Health Minister Roger Cook had a “very sensible approach” towards tackling the pandemic resulting in a positive outlook in the country.

“As I’ve said before, we need to test, trace and isolate and that role is vital if we want to stay on top of this deadly virus,”commented Mr Cook.

This is a brief summary of the article ‘‘Gold Standard testing’ means COVID-19 could be on brink of extinction in WA: disease expert’ by Hannah Barry | WAtoday | Friday 17^th April 2020.