WA premier's virus scare as pub exposed

WA Health overnight classified the venue as a higher-risk exposure site, requiring anyone who was there for longer than two hours that night to immediately get a PCR test and isolate for seven days regardless of the result.

Mr McGowan says he spent an hour and 45 minutes at the venue and therefore did not have to isolate.

"Last night, as a precaution, I got a (rapid antigen test). This morning I had another RAT test which was negative so I was very precautionary," he told reporters on Thursday.

The premier said WA Health was treating that night as a "spreader" event with nine people so far identified as having tested positive.

Two other venues, Claremont's The Avenue nightclub and the Cottesloe Beach Hotel, have also been listed as higher-risk exposure sites.

The latest case numbers are yet to be reported but the state's Omicron caseload is spiking, with 115 local infections reported on Wednesday.

Along with a growing third-dose vaccination rate, the higher case numbers are likely to soon result in the state's borders finally opening.

Mr McGowan has promised he will announce a new reopening date by the end of the month.

The premier will fly to Sydney next Thursday to prepare to give evidence in the Federal Court defamation action launched against him by Clive Palmer.

He is expected to appear in court between February 26 and 28.

Asked whether a border decision would be announced prior to his flight to Sydney, Mr McGowan said it would be revealed "when we get the relevant advice".

"I don't know the exact timing of that," he said.

WA Health has reacted to the growing number of Omicron cases in the community by placing many of its public hospitals on "amber alert".

The setting requires all healthcare staff to wear a surgical mask for the duration of their shifts, including in shared areas such as staff rooms.

Patients and visitors must also wear masks.

"The advice that I'm given is that it's basically a practice that will mean hospitals are ready for when further cases come in," Mr McGowan said.

"I don't think there's anything to worry about there."

The two higher settings are red alert, reflecting widespread COVID-19 transmission and black alert, indicating the system is at capacity.