Anyone in Western Australia showing signs of fever and acute respiratory infection can be tested for COVID-19 from tomorrow.

Key points: WA's coronavirus testing regime is being expanded to cover more people

WA's coronavirus testing regime is being expanded to cover more people WA now has 392 coronavirus cases with 14 patients in intensive care

WA now has 392 coronavirus cases with 14 patients in intensive care A new "heat map" shows infections clustered in Perth's western suburbs

Health Minister Roger Cook announced the expanded testing as he confirmed another 28 people in WA had tested positive for coronavirus.

It takes the state's total number of cases to 392.

The latest cases include 19 from the metropolitan area and nine from regional WA and they are aged between four and 69.

WA COVID-19 snapshot Confirmed cases so far: 661

Confirmed cases so far: 661 Recovered: 648

Recovered: 648 Deaths: 9

Deaths: 9 Total tests: 392,908 Latest information from the WA Health Department





The number of coronavirus patients in intensive care units has increased to 14, while 54 people remain in hospital.

Mr Cook said the testing criteria was being expanded at all seven metropolitan COVID-19 testing clinics as well as the regional clinic in Bunbury and other regional testing sites.

"All members of the community who have a fever of 38 degrees or above and an acute respiratory illness, will now be eligible for testing," Mr Cook said.

Roger Cook says WA is doing everything it can to ensure people with symptoms can be tested. ( ABC News: James Carmody )

"For peopling in high-risk settings, including frontline staff like healthcare workers and police officers, they can now be tested if they have a fever of 38 degrees or above or a respiratory illness — a slight difference there."

The testing of high-risk settings including aged care facilities, Aboriginal communities, detention centres and boarding schools will continue.

"Our testing for COVID-19 has three main objectives — we want to find new cases, we want to protect the vulnerable and we also want to understand the spread of this virus in our community," Mr Cook said.

Who should present to COVID-19 clinics? People who have EITHER a fever of 38 degrees Celsius OR acute respiratory infection

People who have Symptoms to look out for include fever, shortness of breath, cough or sore throat

Symptoms to look out for include or Patients who are tested should remain isolated at home until they receive their test results. Major clinics have been set up at Perth hospitals including Royal Perth, Sir Charles Gairdner, Fiona Stanley, Joondalup, Armadale, Rockingham and St John of God Midland. They are open from 8:00am–8:00pm daily. In Southern WA a clinic is operating at Bunbury Health Campus from 10:00am–4:00pm daily. In Northern WA a clinic is operating at Broome Hospital from 8:30am–4:00pm daily. Outside these areas, people with symptoms should present to their local hospital. For more information go to the Health Department website.

Low numbers 'continuing to bubble along'

Mr Cook said of the 28 new cases, seven had travelled from overseas, eight were close contacts of confirmed cases and nine were healthcare workers.

"In addition to those overseas travellers, we also have three former cruise ship travellers," he said.

"We still just have one under investigation and we will obviously provide details of that when we find the source in that case."

A total of 15,130 people have tested negative for the virus in the state, with 2,060 of those in regional areas.

"As you can see, 28 cases continues the current trajectory — low numbers [of new patients] are continuing to bubble along," Mr Cook said.

"It is pleasing we've been able to identify nearly all those people as members of our travelling community or their close contacts, and we still have seen some pleasing results from the contact tracing."

Map reveals Perth's coronavirus hot spots

The Health Department today published the first of what will become a daily "heat map" representing where COVID-19 cases are presenting in the state.

The first map shows cases concentrated in some of Perth's more affluent suburbs, which Dr Robertson said could be attributed to links with overseas travel.

The heat map shows COVID-19 cases clustered around Perth's western suburbs. ( Supplied: WA Health Department )

"Most of our cases have been related to travel and to cruise ships, over two thirds," he said.

"Obviously, some of the people in those areas have been travelling more than other areas, so that has contributed to increased disease in those areas."

Dr Robertson said the map also showed some concerning outbreaks in regional WA.

"We continue to be concerned about some of the outbreaks in some of our regional areas, and we obviously will investigate those further," he said.

"There has been some small outbreaks in the Broome area and we are following that one closely, and we've had another couple of cases overnight, so we're continuing to work on that."

Year 12 exams may be deferred

Meanwhile, WA Education Minister Sue Ellery said Year 12 students could have their exams deferred from November to early December because of the outbreak.

Education officials are treating Year 12 students as their highest priority, the Minister said. ( ABC News: Katrin Long, file photo )

She said there was another option for them to be examined on a smaller part of the syllabus, and their work from during the year could more heavily determine their final grades.

She said the Education Department was treating the senior students as its highest priority.

"I know this is an uncertain time, but you can be reassured that we are going to ensure you're able to get a qualification which will be treated just the same as every other Year 12 group has," Ms Ellery told students.

"It'll be recognised by universities, recognised by TAFE and recognised by employers."

Andrew Forrest offers medical supplies and equipment

WA mining magnate Andrew Forrest's charity, the Minderoo Foundation, along with his Fortescue Metals Group company, has procured medical supplies and equipment from China to boost Australia's stockpile.

Andrew Forrest (left) is working with Chinese Consul General in Perth Dong Zhihua (centre) and Health Minister Roger Cook (right) to secure medical supplies. ( ABC News: James Carmody )

The foundation will transport the supplies to Australia on weekly flights and then make them available to State and Territory governments to buy.

"As we all know, finding PPE [personal protective equipment] is incredibly difficult," Mr Cook said.

"Every jurisdiction in the world is chasing supplies and those supply chains are under threat.

"The Minderoo Foundation has been able to utilise Fortescue's extensive connections within China to source and supply equipment to Australia."

The first plane load of supplies from China is set to depart today and land in Perth 10 hours later.

Andrew Forrest says Australia is "facing a threat not seen in our lifetimes". ( ABC News: James Carmody )

Health authorities stressed they would need to be examined to ensure they met Australian safety standards.

"We will purchase all PPE that will come into WA that is obviously fit for purpose, that is approved and will protect our frontline staff and our patients," Department of Health director general David Russell-Weisz said.

The supplies include millions of face and surgical masks, gloves, nasal swabs and ventilators.

Mr Forrest said $160 million had been put on the table to secure the supplies, after a competitive and time consuming "battle" with other nations.