A rise in COVID-19 hospitalisations is heaping further pressure on Western Australia's hospitals but the government is not yet considering tightening restrictions.
WA Health on Wednesday reported a total of 320 people hospitalised with the virus, an increase of almost 100 from a week earlier.
Ten of those people were in intensive care, while a further 6880 cases and six deaths were also reported.
Premier Mark McGowan admits the surge in COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses is adding to the strain on busy hospitals.
But he says the state government is yet to receive any advice from Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson that restrictions should be ramped up.
"I met with him on Monday and we went through all these issues," Mr McGowan told reporters on Wednesday.
"There's no need for mandatory mask-wearing, outside of where it's currently required, at this point in time.
"I'd just say to the public, if you want to wear a mask when you're in a crowd, you're perfectly entitled to."
Masks are still required in WA at hospitals and other healthcare settings, aged care homes and on public transport.
Mr McGowan has consistently deferred to the advice of the chief health officer in justifying the restrictions imposed during the pandemic, in particular the decision to keep the state's borders closed for almost two years.
But he declined to say whether the government would accept a recommendation from Dr Robertson to bring back further mask-wearing.
"It's a hypothetical question. We'll wait and see what happens," he said.
Victoria's Labor government this week rejected official health advice for mask mandates to return in schools, early childhood centres, retail stores and hospitality venues.
Health workers and other WA public servants recently ramped up their wages battle with the state government, threatening to strike unless they receive better pay.
They are lobbying for a pay rise above the 2.75 per cent annual increase offered under the state government's public sector wages policy, arguing WA has both the lowest wage growth and highest inflation rate of all states.
Mr McGowan said he was keen to avoid the planned August 17 strike.
"Obviously we don't want that at this point in time when we're dealing with COVID and the pressure on our hospitals, in particular," he said.
"We've got our position, we're subject to negotiations with the unions and we're working effectively to resolve those issues."
