Western Australia has reported 5,566 new cases of COVID-19, with a record number of people now in hospital, but there have been no more deaths.
There are now 38,140 active infections in the state.
It is the fourth consecutive day the state has recorded a drop in infections, down from 5,626 yesterday, 5,838 on Saturday, 6,176 on Friday and 7,151 on Thursday.
The numbers usually dip on weekends due to poorer turnouts at testing clinics.
The state is yet to reach its expected peak of 10,000 cases a day.
There were no deaths yesterday, however on Saturday WA Health reported four people had died after testing positive to the virus.
A record 163 people are in hospital, up from 155 yesterday.
ICU admissions remain relatively stable at four.
The majority of positive cases, 3,553, came from rapid antigen tests.
More than 11,000 PCR swabs returned the remaining 2,013 positive cases.
Elective surgery 'pause' eased
The WA government has again adjusted its plans for elective surgery in private hospitals.
Today marked the beginning of a "pause" on some surgeries, meaning no category three or non-urgent category two procedures could be booked from today.
But in a change announced this morning, day surgeries and those requiring a single-night stay can once again be booked in private hospitals from Wednesday.
"Omicron cases continue to rise week on week, but thanks to our strong pandemic management, the increase has been slower than expected," Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said.
"That means there is scope to allow private hospitals to resume short-stay elective surgeries."
She said the measures would continue to be reviewed by the Chief Health Officer.
WA president of the Australian Medical Association Mark Duncan-Smith had been calling for the pause to be lifted in private hospitals, and was happy with the decision.
"Being able to do overnight surgery on category two and category three cases will cover about 75 per cent of elective surgery," he said.
"We do welcome the announcement, and I congratulate the government on being nimble enough to pivot on this issue."
Opposition health spokesperson Libby Mettam was also pleased with the change to elective surgery.
But she said there was still significant uncertainty about what the weeks ahead will look like.
"The McGowan government needs to keep to its word and ensure that restrictions are in line with what we're seeing in the hospital system," Ms Mettam said.
"We're yet to see that, and the government also need to be upfront about the modelling."
Alfresco grants for small businesses
The government also announced applications were open for $5,000 grants to help businesses add alfresco dining areas.
The money was part of a broader support package announced on February 24 after level one restrictions were introduced.
Mr Carey said the $5 million that had been set aside reflected changing community attitudes.
"Because ultimately, alfresco is a COVID-safe way for people to dine and to entertain," he said.
"It makes them more active, it makes them more vibrant, and we are seeing that more and more people, more and more customers are wanting to dine or entertain in alfresco areas."
Businesses are continuing to struggle under level two restrictions, which Premier Mark McGowan has said he hopes to ease by the end of the month.
But Mr Carey was today tight-lipped on when that might change, or whether any extra support would be offered to businesses.
"We're looking beyond the peak to provide business support, and this alfresco grant is one way we're doing that," he said.
