Health Minister Roger Cook has confirmed the first cases of community transmission of COVID-19 have been recorded in Western Australia as 17 new cases in the state were confirmed overnight.

Key points: The total number of WA COVID-19 cases has spiked overnight

The total number of WA COVID-19 cases has spiked overnight A doctor and a nurse are among the new confirmed cases

A doctor and a nurse are among the new confirmed cases Mr Cook says WA is now in a new phase of coronavirus containment

The biggest one-day jump in cases recorded so far takes the state's total to 52.

The new cases include 10 men and seven women, aged from their 20s to their 70s.

Five of the cases have travelled from the United Kingdom, France, New Zealand, the United States and Europe, including Italy.

Two of the cases are healthcare workers and the source of the virus in the 12 remaining cases is unknown at this stage.

WA COVID-19 snapshot Confirmed cases so far: 662

Confirmed cases so far: 662 Recovered: 650

Recovered: 650 Deaths: 9

Deaths: 9 Total tests: 395,402 Latest information from the WA Health Department





"We are now transitioning to a new phase in terms of its progression through our community," Mr Cook said.

"We always knew that this would happen and we are prepared.

"It is now obviously appropriate for us to respond by elevating the plans that the Department of Health has.

"Community spread is a an inevitability, it's a matter of controlling the speed and the size of that spread.

"What we have at the moment in Western Australia is a very low number … we're still in a really good position.

"Social distancing remains the most important strategy that we can utilise at the moment to limit the spread of the virus and flatten the curve.

"The best form of defence … is our own vigilance."

Health authorities urged those who were feeling unwell or who developed even mild flu-like symptoms to stay home until their condition improved.

Mr Cook also confirmed the first case in regional WA had been recorded in the state's South West.

Fiona Stanley workers among new cases

Mr Cook said one of the healthcare workers among the new cases was a nurse at Fiona Stanley Hospital.

The other was a mental health physician based at both Fiona Stanley and the Ursula Frayne Unit at St John of God Mount Lawley Hospital.

Mr Cook said the nurse returned from overseas on March 16 and immediately self-isolated.

The mental health physician developed symptoms after being at work all day.

"This particular person was at work on the 16th of March with no symptoms, that night became fatigued and developed a dry cough," Mr Cook said.

"[They] did not attend work the next day … that person remains in self-isolation at home and contact tracing is occurring.

"The physician had contact with three [Fiona Stanley] patients. Two patients are self-isolating at home and one person, who is already an inpatient, remains in hospital."

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In addition, 13 staff members at Fiona Stanley have been identified as "close contacts" and they are also in self-isolation.

The physician also treated a number of patients within a secure mental health unit at the Ursula Frayne Centre.

"The Department of Health has been informed and the hospital has undertaken contact tracing in relation to patients, families and staff [of] all contacted affected patients," Mr Cook said.

"Those patients are being cared for … precautions are now being undertaken to ensure that they don't have any further spread."

Mr Cook also confirmed three people with coronavirus were in hospital in WA.

"One person who was self-isolating has been admitted to [Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital] as they began to feel more unwell, a healthcare worker and a new admission," he said.

He said all three were in a stable condition.

New COVID clinics open

New COVID testing clinics will open in Rockingham, Armadale, Midland, Joondalup, Albany and Geraldton.

These will operate in addition to clinics set up at Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Fiona Stanley hospitals and one that opened in Bunbury this week.

The State Government is also now looking at changing the virus testing criteria and possibly scaling back elective surgery.

Mr Cook also urged older West Australians to get the influenza vaccination this year.

While the vaccination could not protect against COVID-19, it would reduce the number of people needing medical tests and care, relieving pressure on WA's health system and hospitals.

Free flu vaccinations for the over 65s will be available from the first week of April.

The vaccine boosts the immune system's response in people aged over 65, a demographic known to have a weaker immune response to influenza.

The free vaccination program has been extended this year to include primary school children.

"It's never been more important to protect our families," Mr Cook said.

"I urge older Western Australians and parents of children — six months to Year 6 — to take advantage of our free vaccination programs this year.

"These vaccinations are really important right now as we expect to see seasonal influenza overlap with the COVID-19 virus."