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AAP
AAP
Health
Michael Ramsey

WA's Omicron peak days away, one new death

WA is just a few days away from its Omicron peak, Premier Mark McGowan says. (AAP)

Western Australia is likely just a few days away from its Omicron peak, the premier says, as the state records 7151 new cases and one death.

The latest COVID-19 related fatality is that of a woman in her 80s, bringing the toll during the state's Omicron outbreak to six deaths.

There are 140 people in hospital with the virus, including four in intensive care.

"We expect that we're a few days away from our caseload peak. Our hospitalisation peak will come after that," Premier Mark McGowan told reporters on Thursday.

"But I think what this shows, certainly the low hospitalisation rate and the low rate of ICU (cases), is that our preparedness and our high first, second and third dose vaccination rates have paid huge dividends."

Another woman in her 80s whose death was announced on Wednesday had been an aged care resident who was already receiving palliative care, Mr McGowan said.

A decision on easing level two restrictions, including capacity limits at private homes and public venues, will be made in coming weeks.

"I'm very keen for level two to be reduced back to level one but we'll just see how we're tracking towards the end of this month," the premier said.

Mr McGowan emerged on Thursday from a week in self-quarantine after returning from Sydney, where he was required to appear in the Federal Court to give evidence after being sued for defamation by billionaire Clive Palmer.

It emerged during the trial that Mr McGowan had privately described Mr Palmer as "the worst Australian who's not in jail".

The premier also exchanged friendly messages with media mogul Kerry Stokes, whose daily newspaper variously depicted Mr Palmer as the movie villain Dr Evil, a cane toad and a cockroach.

Mr McGowan denied having gone into isolation - which is no longer required given the borders are open - to avoid questions about the messages.

He refused to answer when asked if his relationship with Mr Stokes was appropriate.

"The very strong advice I have from my lawyers is I cannot comment on matters that were before the court ... before such time as a judgment is handed down," he said.

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