Tasmania almost doubles Covid-19 cases in just one day with 1489 new infections

Covid-19 cases in Tasmania have almost doubled in just one day, with the state reporting a record number of infections.

Tasmania’s daily Covid-19 cases have almost doubled with a record 1489 new infections on Friday.

There are now eight people in hospital with the virus, three of whom are specifically being treated for Covid-19 symptoms and the remaining five being treated for unrelated medical conditions.

Across the state there are now 4681 active infections, with the state almost doubling its Thursday tally of 751 cases.

More than 5200 tests were conducted at state clinics on Thursday, a jump from the previous record of 2958 tests the day prior.

In the past 24 hours, 330 people have been released from isolation.

Premier Peter Gutwein as the state’s Covid numbers almost double. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Hospitals in the state are increasingly under strain, with 50 staff members at the Royal Hobart Hospital testing positive to Covid and outpatient services dramatically reduced.

Five staff members at the Launceston General Hospital and one at the North West Regional Hospital in Burnie have also tested positive.

Authorities say none of them were infected while at work.

Holidaymakers are being urged not to travel to King Island, off the state’s northwest coast, with 60 people testing positive from the island’s 1600 residents.

It is believed one person attended several large events over the past week while infectious, causing the quick spread.

Health authorities are expecting more positive tests from the cluster in the coming days, with locals concerned about the services and business on the island.

The state has allowed residents to use rapid antigen tests (RATs) as a tool to diagnose the virus.

The state has allowed residents to use rapid antigen tests as testing sites have been overwhelmed. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Anyone with a positive RAT in Tasmania can lodge the result online without having to book a PCR test to confirm the case, as testing queues and clinics are overwhelmed due to high demand.

The Supreme Court of Tasmania on Thursday suspended jury trials until at least March due to growing infection numbers.

“Because of risks associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, no jury trials will be conducted until at least 15 March 2022,” Supreme Court Chief Justice Alan Blow said in a statement.

Two reasons are cited for the suspension, the first being that the “risk of exposing jurors and others to Covid-19 is unacceptable”, as jurors are “compelled to come to the court, whether they wish to or not”.

“If jury trials were to proceed with infection rates as bad as they are now, or worse, it is likely a lot of trials would be aborted,” the second reason states.

A further announcement will be made next month as to whether the suspension will continue beyond March.

Jury trials set to begin on January 31 for four weeks have been cancelled as well as the call over of matters in Hobart on January 24.

Non-jury cases will proceed following the opening of the legal year on January 28, with legal practitioners having the opportunity to dial in to court remotely.