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ABC News
ABC News
Health
By Keane Bourke and Jessica Warriner 

WA records 22 new local COVID-19 cases as cluster at Perth nightclub The Library grows

The Library nightclub in Northbridge is at the centre of a growing COVID-19 cluster. (Google Maps)

Western Australia has recorded 22 new local COVID-19 cases, more than half of which are related to a cluster at a Perth nightclub.

Of the new cases, 14 are linked to The Library Nightclub in Northbridge — five of which were reported late on Friday but recorded in Saturday's official figures.

One case is likely linked to the greater Bunbury cluster and six are household contacts from clusters in the South West, Safety Bay, Rockingham, Willagee and the Wheatbelt.

One case is under investigation, with no link to any known clusters.

Some of the new cases have been infectious while in the community.

WA Health has updated its list of potential exposure sites with 12 new locations, including another two Perth nightclubs, the Mustang Bar and Humble Nightclub.

A boat charter on the Swan River is also listed as an exposure site for almost five hours on Australia Day.

Mustang Bar in Northbridge has been listed as an exposure site on Australia Day. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)

Anyone who attended the Moonlight Express Charter on Australia Day between 4:30pm and 9:15pm is urged to get tested and isolate immediately until returning a negative result.

The same rules apply for anyone who visited Mustang Bar on Australia Day between 8:30pm and 9:30pm, or Humble Nightclub between 11:30pm on Saturday, January 22, and 12:30am on Sunday, January 23. 

Other new exposure sites include fast food outlets in Canning Vale and Cooloongup, a gym in Embleton and five businesses in Dunsborough. 

One new case relating to interstate travel has also been reported.

WA Health said on Friday that transmission had been confirmed at The Library Nightclub and urged anyone who had attended the club — including the "Club Bootylicious" event — to be tested immediately and isolate until receiving a negative result. 

The "Club Bootylicious" event was held between 9:30pm on Saturday, January 22, and 5am on Sunday, January 23.

Opposition reiterates call for case modelling

On Friday, the WA government outlined its plans for managing COVID once the state reaches an unspecified number of cases.

Opposition Leader Mia Davies described the announcement as "murky" and criticised Premier Mark McGowan for leaving the state "in limbo" without a reopening date.

"Once again, we see him using highly inflammatory language to incite fear and anxiety to justify these decisions," Ms Davies wrote on Twitter.

"We call on the premier to be open and transparent by releasing the health modelling for Omicron in WA to confirm that his decisions are based on scientific data and not simply polling."

But Environment Minister Reece Whitby said Friday's announcement would bring certainty for businesses.

"In the eastern states, this information had to be rolled out at the peak of Omicron rampaging through communities," he said.

"What we're saying is, to the business community, here is new directions or at least new information about guidelines in terms of testing protocols and other arrangements that they can look and see how it would impact on their particular business."

He said it was impossible to give any indication of what might happen in the future with a high degree of certainty.

"If we can save a life, if we can avoid the tragedy and the pain and the anguish of what is going on in other states through a careful approach, then I think it's worthwhile and I think Western Australians agree that it's worthwhile."

I've had COVID, can I get it again?
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