Western Australia state reintroduces mask mandate after COVID-19 spike

The state of Western Australia announced plans to reintroduce a face-mask mandate at hospitals in the capital Perth following recent spike of COVID-19 cases, according to local media.

Patients and hospitals staff will start wearing face masks as of Monday, local daily WA Today reported on Friday.

State Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson said new cases had been rising since early September in Western Australia.

"It's an expected part of the ongoing evolution of COVID-19 in the community as people's immunity wanes over time," the daily quoted Robertson as saying.

He also advised private hospitals and aged care facilities to strengthening mask-wearing requirements for staff and visitors.

During last week, 531 cases reported in the state and 57 of them admitted in hospital while four people lost their lives, according to report.

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