Western Australia has recorded one new COVID-19 case linked to an infected French backpacker who travelled from Queensland.

December 26, 2021

Western Australia has detected one new local COVID-19 case linked to an infected French backpacker who arrived in the state from Queensland.

The new case also attended an busy event at Perth Mess Hall in Northbridge a week ago and was staying at a hostel linked to a previous case.

It brings the total number of locally acquired cases in the current outbreak to eight, WA Health said on Sunday.

All are assumed to be Delta, after the 25-year-old index case was confirmed to be infected with the strain.

The unvaccinated backpacker visited nightclubs, shopping centres, restaurants and a cinema across multiple Perth suburbs after arriving in WA on December 12.

The new case tested positive while in quarantine and is not considered to have been contagious while in the community.

An international traveller has also tested positive in hotel quarantine overnight.

There are now 18 active confirmed cases in WA, 15 in quarantine hotels and three in self-quarantine.

Meanwhile, police have charged a 25-year-old French tourist in hotel quarantine after he allegedly left his room, threatened security staff, resisted arrest and hurled abuse on Christmas Day

He was charged with failing to comply with a health direction after he left his threatened, threatening to destroy, damage, endanger and harm property and obstructing public officers.

The man had been staying at the Old Fire Station Backpackers in Fremantle and deemed a close contact on Christmas Eve.

He was scheduled to appear at Perth Magistrates Court on Sunday.

The man charged is not the same man as the index case.