The state government is urging people to only call an ambulance when urgent – as St John struggles with the impacts of COVID-19.

The Omicron wave has forced around 2-thousand healthcare workers into isolation due to the virus — which equates to 9 per cent of the workforce.

St John Ambulance CEO Michelle Fyfe told Perth LIVE, the line must be reserved for emergencies.

“We want our community, our state to feel confident that we will be there for them in an emergency,” she told Oliver Peterson.

“But they need to know that we’re really busy right now and we’re going to be busy for a little while to come I’d say.

“So we’re prepared, we’re ready, we’re responding, but we need people to keep triple zero for emergencies.”

“If you are sick, and you are having life-threatening or emergency symptoms call triple zero. If you’re not sure which, call triple zero anyway, we’d prefer you to call us first.”

“But if you have, for example some of the calls we’ve been getting in lately, is someone who’s just had a positive RAT. What we’d say to those people, as much as we’d love to help you, right now the place you to call is 13 COVID.”

Press PLAY to hear Michelle Fyfe’s full interview on Perth LIVE