WA’s coronavirus lockdown was its first real test, but experts say luck had a big role to play in the result

It was WA’s first real COVID-19 test since the pandemic hit almost a year ago, and the state passed with flying colours.

While the success in stopping any community spread can be attributed to a five-day hard lockdown imposed by the State Government, experts say sheer good luck was likely a major contributor.

The quarantine hotel security guard who sparked the lockdown contracted the virus from a returned traveller and the worst fears were realised when tests showed he had the UK variant of COVID-19, which has shown to be more transmissible than earlier strains.

He spent days out and about in the community, yet no further cases were detected, even among the man’s close contacts, including the three people with whom he shared a house.

Deakin…