When Perth's 'real test' will emerge
Over the next five days Perth will face a "real test" as health authorities wait and see how far COVID-19 has spread, the head of the Australian Medical Association says.
The West Australian capital has been plunged into a five-day lockdown after a security guard tested positive to what's believed to be the highly infectious UK strain of coronavirus.
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The hotel Four Points by Sheraton is the epicentre of the lockdown. Getty
President of the Australian Medical Association Dr Omar Khorshid told Today the lockdown is likely to be extended should more cases emerge.
"The real test will be the five days," he said.
"Does anybody test positive? If they do, we are in for a much longer battle here in West Australia.
"There is a chance that there is actually already tens or hundreds of West Australians who have the virus, because he is a super-spreader."
Australian Medical Association president Omar Khorshid has not ruled a long lockdown out for Perth. Today
Dr Korshid branded the outbreak "predictable", and outlined the next steps state Premier Mark McGowan should take to combat further outbreaks.
"This was completely predictable and we've been saying for months that WA was one day away from this kind of lockdown. The quarantine is the frontline of our border," he said.
"There is a number of different steps that could be taken that have not been taken here in WA... one is personal protective equipment."
Dr Khorshid said the positive diagnosis has come as a shock to the city.
Police are seen patrolling Perth's CDB an hour into the lockdown. Getty
The outdoor dining area at Cicerello's is packed up and taped off on January 31 in Fremantle. Getty
"We have been living in this little bubble thinking we are almost immune from the virus and we have been heaping our praise on (state premier) Mark McGowan," he said.
"Now, his number one challenge is to get on top of this incident.
"Make sure it doesn't turn into a disaster."
People are seen queuing at the Royal Perth Hospital COVID-19 Clinic on January 31 in Perth. Getty
Dr Khorshid added anyone with symptoms or who had been to a hotspot should do their part and get tested.
"It is imperative then, even if you have no symptoms at all, you go and get tested," he said.
"If you have been to the hotspot locations already, you have been instructed to go and get a test."
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