A man in Collie, south of Perth, has tested positive for COVID-19.
The Health Department says the man recorded a very weak positive result which likely reflects a historical infection.
The man, in his 30s, travelled to Australia from Poland via Victoria, where he underwent 14 days of quarantine at a Melbourne hotel.
He then travelled to WA.
The WA Health Department said the man tested negative to COVID-19 on all his tests while in hotel quarantine.
“On his return to Collie, he was re-tested as part of Vic Healths follow-up of people post-quarantine,” the statement said.
“He returned a very weak positive result, which is sometimes seen in people with old, recovered infections.
Collie Shire president Sarah Stanley has put herself into self-quarantine after having contact with the man at the local pub, the ABC understands.(Hugh Sando
)
“WA Health believes the test result most likely reflects an historic infection but out of an abundance of caution has re-tested the man to clarify his infection status.”
The man and three of his close contacts have been ordered to isolate and he will be re-tested.
The results of these tests, which will include antibody tests, are expected back tomorrow.
“We are asking the community not to panic and to be assured that WA Health will advise the community if results indicate this is an infectious case,” the statement said.