Luxury hotel to trial sheltering a portion of Perth's homeless population in bid to curb coronavirus

About 20 homeless people will be housed in Perth's Pan Pacific hotel under a trial program aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Genomic testing has indicated the Pan Pacific guard has the same US variant of the virus as two returned travellers staying on the same floor. Source: HRS Group

About 20 of Perth's most at-risk homeless people are being moved in to a five-star CBD hotel under a trial program aimed at protecting them and the community from the spread of coronavirus.

The West Australian government announced on Monday the Pan Pacific would be used for the "Hotels with Heart" pilot, which could be scaled up to support other vulnerable people including victims of domestic violence if successful.

The National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project labelled the scheme inadequate, saying there were at least 200 homeless people on the streets of the CBD, East Perth and West Perth alone.

Seven people who were infected with coronavirus while onboard the cruise ship Artania are in intensive care at Perth hospitals, taking the total in Western Australia to 12.

Four people from the Artania are at Fiona Stanley Hospital, while three are at a private facility at Joondalup Health Campus, which is also treating dozens of other stable patients from the German liner.

Two other passengers from the cruise ship Ruby Princess are also in intensive care.

Western Australia Health Minister Roger Cook speaks to the media as Premier Mark McGowan looks on. Source: AAP

"They are continuing to struggle with their illness and we hope that they get better," health minister Roger Cook told reporters on Tuesday.

There are 54 people battling COVID-19 in WA hospitals.

WA recorded nine new local cases on Tuesday, including a seven-year-old child, taking the state's total confirmed cases to 364.

Mr Cook said the state government had ordered $15 million worth of clinical equipment including 301 ventilators, 201 humidifiers and 200 ICU beds.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.

If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.

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