WA Health has reported 5005 new COVID-19 infections overnight, with the state’s active cases now 20,788.

The majority of cases – 18,479 – are in the Perth metro area, with 485 in the South West, 255 in the Pilbara and 225 in the Wheatbelt.

The Kimberley region had 33 active cases, prompting the WA government to send 48,000 RATs to remote Aboriginal communities there.

A total of 92 people with COVID-19 are in hospital, while three remain in ICU but off ventilators.

Friday’s figures came as health authorities warned a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant – BA.2 – is suspected of being 25-30% more infectious than its predecessor and fast becoming the dominant strain across Australia.

Tap PLAY below to hear more on WA’s COVID-19 numbers with Liam Bartlett.