One of Mark McGowan's children has been hospitalised with COVID-19, on the same day the WA Premier himself tested positive.
Mr McGowan's office confirmed his positive PCR result on Friday morning, before later revealing one of his three children had recently been admitted to hospital because of the virus.
"The child is fully vaccinated, however, was in serious condition as a result of the infection," a statement read.
"The child remains in hospital and is receiving ongoing treatment.
"The McGowan family asks for privacy regarding this situation at this difficult time."
The Premier has three children — two sons and a daughter.
Mr McGowan was forced into isolation on Wednesday after one of his family members tested positive.
News of the Premier's positive test result came just after Anthony Albanese's COVID diagnosis threw Federal Labor's campaign plans in the state into disarray.
Mr McGowan announced on Friday morning that a positive PCR result meant he would be in isolation until at least next Thursday afternoon.
"It is not surprising considering one of my family members is positive," he said.
"In accordance with protocols, this will extend my quarantine period until I am hopefully cleared to leave home next Thursday afternoon, at the earliest."
Western Australia has recorded 8,777 new cases and another five historical deaths – a woman in her 50s, a man in his 60s, a man and woman in their 80s and a woman in her 90s – dating back to April 15, but they were only reported to WA Health on Thursday.
There are 42,613 active cases in the state and 258 people in hospital, with nine in ICU.
Premier tests positive within hours of federal Labor leader
Mr McGowan's positive diagnosis comes after his federal colleague, opposition leader Anthony Albanese also tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, derailing his campaign plans.
Mr Albanese had been planning to visit Western Australia, making what would have been his third visit in the last two months.
In a sign of how important WA voters are to the outcome of this federal election, Mr Albanese was planning to officially launch his campaign in Perth next Sunday.
In announcing his positive diagnosis last night, Mr Albanese said he was in good health and would work from home during his isolation period.
Loss 'compounded' for Albanese: analyst
Political analyst Martin Drum said the COVID diagnoses could affect the way WA votes.
"We know Mr Albanese was planning to come to Western Australia to put the case in person, to press the flesh, to meet voters firsthand — he won't have that opportunity to do that [for now]," he said.
Dr Drum said Labor also would have been hoping Mr McGowan would be out and about, campaigning for the party.
"They were hoping that he would be able to lend his weight to some of those individual campaigns to appear alongside federal candidates," he said.
"He also is going to be confined to quarters for the next week or so. So it does indeed compound the loss [of] Mr Albanese."
Federal colleagues to 'step up' in Albanese's absence
WA Communities Minister Simone McGurk said while the timing was unfortunate, she expected West Australians to be "patient" through the hiccup.
"It must be very frustrating for anyone involved in that federal election campaign to contract COVID but, as we know, we don't get to pick when the pandemic decides to tap us on the shoulder," she said.
"It must be very challenging, but we do what we can and I'm confident that the Australian public are aware of those limitations and will be patient through the course of this campaign."
When asked about whether both Mr McGowan and Mr Albanese being taken out of action would hamper Labor's efforts, Ms McGurk said federal colleagues would continue campaigning in their absence.
"Labor's got some great candidates on the ground, we've got other shadow ministers visiting, and they'll continue to do the work while Anthony is in isolation," she said.
"I'm sure he'll make full use of Zoom and other facilities to get his message out."
Penny Wong says WA 'key' to election
In Mr Albanese's absence, prominent senior Labor figure Penny Wong led a contingent of federal members and local candidates at a press event in the marginal seat of Swan, which Labor is hoping to take from the Liberals.
Seats like Swan, along with a handful of others in WA, are expected to play a key role in deciding the outcome of the election.
"Your state does have the power to decide if Mr Morrison gets another term in power," Ms Wong told reporters.
"Western Australia is key to this election. We understand that, and we also understand how important Western Australia is to the Australian economy."
Ms Wong tried to play down the impact of Mr Albanese being taken off the road for a week, saying she expected he would still be in WA for the party's campaign launch next Sunday.
"People understand this is the consequence of the borders opening and restrictions being eased," she said.
"We're still in the first half of the campaign."
COVID cases surge in South West
Meanwhile, in the state's South West, cases have hit record highs ahead of a busy long weekend.
Authorities reported 585 new cases overnight, the highest total for the region since the pandemic began.
The record number of cases comes as thousands of visitors flock to the region for a music festival in Busselton and ANZAC day commemorations.
Independent epidemiologist Dr Bev Paterson says the rise doesn't come as a surprise and that people shouldn't be too worried.
"There are things you can do, be really careful when you wear your mask.
"Also be aware that it's not just about you getting COVID, but it's also that you can transmit it to somebody else."
