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Health

Western Australia records another day of 2,000-plus COVID-19 cases

WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson says the number of people in hospital has risen to 28. (ABC News: James Carmody )

Western Australia has recorded 2,289 new COVID-19 cases.

There are now 28 people in hospital, up from 21 on Friday, but none in intensive care.

Just over 1,500 of the new cases were confirmed via PCR tests and 785 were self-reported rapid antigen tests.

It comes as hospitals prepare for a return of visitors after the Chief Health Officer announced yesterday that rules preventing most people from visiting friends and relatives would be relaxed from Sunday.

Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson had been able to make the rules more flexible.

"Credit to the Chief Health Officer, he's looked at the rules and found a way to provide a bit more flexibility, acknowledging that everyone's circumstances are different," she said.

Under the new rules, patients can receive one visitor for each of the two visiting sessions each day.

Previously only birth partners, carers or guardians of a person with a disability or those supporting end-of-life patients were allowed to visit.

Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson announced changes to hospital visitor rules just one day after harsh new restrictions were put in place. (ABC News: Cason Ho)

Ms Sanderson said she understood that even with the more relaxed rules, it would still be difficult for some people with loved ones in hospital.

"I understand this is cold comfort for those who have loved ones in hospital now, but please know these measures are in place to protect your loved ones … and everyone else's," she said.

Opposition backs easing of 'heartless' rules

WA Liberal Party leader David Honey welcomed the relaxation of the visitation restrictions, but questioned the initial harshness of the rules.

"As a result of that public outcry, public pressure, we see the rules changing. I welcome those changes," he said.

WA Liberal leader David Honey believes the initial hospital restrictions were unnecessarily harsh. (ABC News: Cason Ho )

"But why were those rules put there in the first place?

"It was clear that the rules they imposed were heartless, and we saw families separated from dying relatives."

Patient struggled without family visits

Kalgoorlie mother Geri Bennett had her appendix removed just over a week ago, but was readmitted to hospital earlier this week when she felt unwell.

"I came to hospital, my husband dropped me off and went to walk in with me [but] couldn't," she said.

"I was obviously upset, which made the pain so much worse."

Geri Bennett says she has been struggling with the lack of visits from her family while recovering in hospital. (Supplied)

Ms Bennett said her husband was given permission to visit on Friday, but her eight-year-old son was still not allowed.

"My husband got put on the register yesterday to have a visit. He dropped our son off with family but didn't tell [him] where he was going because obviously my son would've gotten upset," she said.

While Ms Bennett was due to leave hospital tomorrow, she said other patients who were still recovering should be allowed to have their children visit.

"If you're here for weeks and weeks, of course you want to see your children. I think your children should be able to visit,' she said.

"Minute by minute, you don't know what's going to happen and they need that somebody. Somebody has to be here for them."

Ms Sanderson said the state government was still hoping to roll back the broader level two measures in "a matter of weeks".

How and when will the COVID pandemic end?
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