Launceston General Hospital: New Covid-19 outbreak, demand strains capacity

The Department of Health has revealed Launceston General Hospital is facing a second Covid-19 outbreak, as a spike in acute care demand means only the most serious cases should present.

The Department of Health has revealed Launceston General Hospital is currently battling its second Covid-19 outbreak as a simultaneous spike in “acute care demand” means only the most serious cases should present to the emergency department.

“If people have conditions that are not life-threatening and can be treated by a general practitioner, we encourage them to reconsider attending the Launceston General Hospital emergency department during this surge period,” the department said.

“As the hospital manages increased demand for emergency services, we ask the public for their patience and understanding should they experience longer waiting times for lower acuity presentations.

“LGH staff are working hard to address the high demand and the public can have confidence that the needs of emergency presentations will be met.”

Launceston General Hospital is battling its second Covid-19 outbreak amid a simultaneous spike in “acute care demand,” the Department of Health has revealed. Picture: File

Meanwhile, the department also revealed there had been 10 positive cases of Covid-19, including hospital staff, in the latest outbreak.

“The hospital is also managing a Covid-19 outbreak on 5D medical ward which has been closed to new admissions, impacting on patient flow,” the department said.

“Patient and staff Covid-19 screening is underway and eight patients and two staff members have tested positive to the virus.

“All possible bed alternatives, including already contracted private hospital beds and available district hospital beds will be used as appropriate to support patient access and flow.”

LGH experienced its first Covid-19 outbreak in April, where up to eight patients were infected.

The under-pressure hospital has been the subject of a number of adverse findings by the state coroner this year.

Salamanca Market back at full capacity - May 21

THE rope barriers at Salamanca Market have been removed and stallholders and patrons could not be happier.

From midnight on Friday the government lifted all density restrictions on people attending events, including the market.

Salamanca Market Stallholder Association president Emma Hope said after two years patrons were able to move freely throughout the market.

“Everyone is just overjoyed. It’s been a really tough couple of years and to be able to move freely and have trade unimpeded is just fantastic,” Ms Hope said.

“Stallholders themselves have been through tough times, being shut down and severely restrained so we’re all breathing a sigh of relief.

People checking into Salamanca Market. Changes to Check In Tas app. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“We’ve had queues because of the restrictions at a number of markets and we’ve had people leaving with money in their pockets because they didn’t want to line up.”

Ms Hope said the easing of restrictions would also help businesses surrounding Salamanca Market.

“We know that the boundary ropes have restricted patrons from moving freely from the market to the cafes and businesses around Salamanca,” she said.

“It’s great for the surrounding business who have been suffering because people couldn’t just duck off for a coffee or go the newsagents.”

Ms Hope said crowd numbers at the iconic market, rated as one of the State’s top tourist destinations, were “getting right back up there”.

suntas: Michael Bailey and Emma Hope on businesses and covid. At Salamanca Market.

“These hard-working small business owners have endured a lot of hardship and we look forward to welcoming people back to enjoy the full market experience without impediment,” she said.

Small Business Minister Madeleine Ogilvie said everyone had “done a great job during the past couple of years, when things weren’t easy”.

“I know it will lift everyone’s spirits to see our beloved market full of visitors again,” she said.

Meanwhile, there were 962 new Covid cases reported in Tasmania yesterday with 28 of the 50 people in hospital being specifically treated for the virus. One person was in intensive care.

There have been 69 Covid deaths in the state since the pandemic started.

Originally published as Launceston General Hospital: New Covid-19 outbreak, demand strains capacity