Western Australia recorded 5377 COVID-19 cases overnight, after a weekend testing lull, with five people in intensive care.

Of the new cases, 2245 were confirmed through PCR tests, with the remainder made up of self-reported RATs. The number of people in hospital has increased by three.

PCR testing numbers increased to more than 17,000 on Monday after dropping to about 9000 each day over the weekend.

The new cases come as the WA government announced it would provide 10.5 million more free RATs to families, taking the program’s distribution cost up to $38 million.

It means WA households will be entitled to 15 free RATs in total after being offered an initial five in February.

So far 650,000 households have registered for their first five free RATs, with half of them expected to receive that order by the end of the week.

The government will also be handing out 500,000 free RATs at select public sites, including yet-to-be-named train stations, major events, tertiary education facilities and shops.

West Australians had been able to pick up free government RAT orders from the Perth Airport but this location will be replaced by the Kingsway Regional Sporting Complex in Madeley until March 17, which is when pick up orders will be sent to registered postal addresses instead.

Courtesy WAtoday