Premier Mark McGowan has been warned COVID-19 will rip through Perth’s vulnerable and homeless population unless the state immediately triggers its plan to protect rough sleepers.

The open letter from distinguished West Australians including Professor Fiona Stanley and Associate Professor Ted Wilkes predicted the Omicron wave, which hits more than 1000 cases on Friday, would hit the homeless community hard, with many unvaccinated and suffering pre-existing conditions.

The first COVID-19 case in Perth’s homeless community was recorded on Thursday.

Mr McGowan said at his COVID press conference on Friday more than 50 vaccination clinics had been set up for Perth’s homeless community to utilise.

Dr Stanley told Liam Bartlett on 6PR Mornings she believed little consideration was being given by authorities to the homeless crisis on our doorstep.

Read the letter here.

Deaths in Custody deputy chairman Desmond Blurton told the program most rough sleepers were feeling helpless about their plight and the response from authorities.