Local COVID-19 infections have increased by nearly 600 in Western Australia overnight, with 1766 new local cases on Wednesday, taking the state’s active cases to 6979.

The number of hospitalisations remains at 16, with no one in ICU beds, while testing rates climbed, with 14, 545 PCR tests and 732 of the positive cases being self-reported through RATs.

The significant jump in cases means WA could hit 2500 daily cases by the end of the week, as predicted by the state’s Chief Health Officer Dr Andy Robertson.

Thursday will be a watershed moment for WA as it prepares to drop its hard border after almost three year, while stricter COVID-19 restrictions will apply to deal with the impending Omicron peak.

Press play below to hear 6PR Mornings host Liam Bartlett discuss the latest data with Steve Mills.