Covid Tasmania: Three more deaths as Greens call for masks to return

With the Covid death toll and cases continuing to rise, the Tasmanian Greens want to see the wearing of masks once again mandatory. YOUR SAY >>

Another three Tasmanians have died with Covid.

The latest Public Health data showed there were 576 new cases in the week to Friday – up just under two per cent on the 565 cases the previous week.

Across the state there were 4030 new Covid cases.

The number of hospitalisations also increased with 77 people admitted to hospital and 27 patients were being treated specifically for the virus.

Greens deputy leader Rosalie Woodruff with Greens leader Cassy O'Connor. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

This is an increase of six patients on the previous reporting period.

Greens health spokeswoman Dr Rosalie Woodruff again called for the wearing of masks to be mandatory.

“It is tragic for three more families who have had someone die with Covid, and the more than 200 other people who have lost their lives,” she said.

“We need to listen to doctors who want a mask mandate and to keep PCR testing clinics and free RATs.”

Since the pandemic started, 268,695 Tasmanians have tested positive for Covid with 209 dying from the virus.

While the number of cases is still increasing the rate of infection has slowed after a massive 46 per cent rise in the number of cases in the week to December 2.

Public Health has deemed the risk of getting Covid in Tasmania as “moderate”.

‘Secret’ testing clinic closures

The government has secretly announced it plans to close all PCR testing clinics as Tasmania leads the nation in new Covid cases, the Greens say.

However, Treasurer Michael Ferguson says the government will act on the advice of Public Health on the future of PCR clinics.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor has accused the government and Public Health of failing to tell Tasmanians that “there’s a lot of Covid in the community” and how people should protect themselves.

Greens leader Cassy O'Connor has accused the government and Public Health of secretly closing PCR testing clinics.

She said PCR clinics were set to close with people told to go to their GP for a test.

“This government’s attachment to secrecy and failure to inform Tasmanians about the risk of Covid went to a new level yesterday, (when) they quietly announced through the back end of the coronavirus website that as of the 31st of January all PCR clinics will close,” she said.

“This is a system that the government will bring in which will lead to less testing, more infections, more people sick, disabled, and inevitably, tragically, it will lead to more deaths.”

Mr Ferguson accused Ms O’Connor of “trying to scare people” and said the government would continue to follow Public Health advice.

“They are the experts, not Cassy O’Connor, and facilities that are required from time to time will continue to scale up and scale down as required,” he said.

“We’ve been very clear that facilities that are required, including testing facilities, will come and go as the circumstances require.

“I think Tasmanians should feel assured that the government will just follow the good and legitimate advice of public health.”

Ms O’Connor said thousands of Tasmanians with disabilities were “living in fear” and not leaving home because of increased Covid cases in Tasmania.

Five deaths prompt warning: Covid ‘is circulating widely

Five Tasmanians have died with Covid in the past week with the number of new cases rising by 46 per cent.

The latest data showed there have now been 206 deaths since the pandemic began and the number of new cases rose from 2712 to 3957 in the past seven days.

There was a big increase in the daily average cases from 387 to 565.

Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch during the Covid update at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

Public Health director Dr Mark Veitch says the Covid risk level in Tasmania remains moderate which means the virus “is circulating widely in the community”.

“People with symptoms should not go to high-risk settings – including hospitals and aged care facilities – or visit family or friends who may be at higher risk,” he said.

“In the last week, Tasmania recorded an increase in reported Covid cases with an average of 565 reported cases per day.

“The number of patients in hospital with Covid had increased slightly — from 67 to 72 — since the same time last week, while the number of patients in hospital being treated specifically for Covid fell from 25 to 21.

“It is very important that Tasmanians continue to follow the Covid-safe behaviours to protect themselves and others from illness.”

Dr Veitch said this included staying home and getting tested if you have Covid symptoms, registering a positive rapid antigen test (RAT) result online, wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces and public transport and social distancing.

“Additionally, the best protection against Covid continues to be staying up to date with Covid vaccinations,” he said.

Vaccines are available across Tasmania from GPs or pharmacies.

The Royal Hobart Hospital.

Tasmania’s two major public hospitals — the Royal Hobart and Launceston General Hospital — remain at Level 2 of their Covid-19 Management Escalation Plan.

Visiting hours will continue to be 2pm to 7pm and all visitors will continue to be required to complete the health screening process before entering, State Health Commander Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said.

Greens health spokeswoman Dr Rosalie Woodruff urged greater public protections “to slow Covid transmission”.

“Ignorance is not bliss for the unlucky people who contract long Covid, or suffer greater risk of heart attack, stroke, dementia, asthma and other disorder,” she said.

Dr Veitch said people who tested positive can access care and support through the Covid@homeplus program and those at higher risk of severe illness would get potentially lifesaving antiviral medications.

“Those at higher risk of severe illness are encouraged to speak to their GP or usual healthcare provider in advance to prepare a treatment plan if they test positive, including access to antivirals,” he said.

Originally published as Covid Tasmania: Three more deaths as Greens call for masks to return