Coronavirus: Clusters remain, but curve flattening around the country

Fifteen of Australia’s 50 new coronavirus cases are linked to a Tasmanian cluster, as the curve continues to flatten elsewhere.

The North West Regional Hospital in Burnie, Tasmania, has been closed. Picture: AAP

Fifteen of Australia’s 50 new corona­virus cases have been linked to a northwest Tasmanian cluster, as the infection curve continues to flatten elsewhere.

An ACT woman in her 60s ­became the 19th person linked to the ill-fated Ruby Princess cruise ship to die of COVID-19 after she passed away in a Canberra Hospital on Wednesday.

Tasmanian authorities also confirmed the death on Tuesday of a 91-year-old woman, bringing Australia’s COVID-19 toll to 63.

All of Tasmania’s new cases were linked to the cluster in the northwest of the state, with NSW recording 16 new cases, Victoria eight, Queensland and Western Australia five each, the Northern Territory one, and South Australia and the ACT none.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein moved to close two hospitals in the state’s northwest and quarantine between 4000 and 5000 people, after the number of Tasmanian cases jumped by more than 50, including at least eight healthcare workers.

As the number of Tasmanian cases reached 165 on Wednesday, Mr Gutwein warned that it was “not acceptable” for “keyboard warriors” to harass healthcare workers online.

“This shouldn’t be an opportunity for those who want to get online and vilify and take aim,” he said. “Anyone thinking about lining up a healthcare worker, taking a pot shot at them, should just draw breath and accept that there is a process under way.”

Victoria’s death toll remains 14, with no deaths in recent days. There are 39 Victorians in hospital with COVID-19, including 18 in ­intensive care. Premier Daniel Andrews said the stable numbers showed the ­social-distancing strategy “is working”.

The release of 94-year-old great grandmother Maureen ­Appleby from Melbourne’s Austin Hospital after recovering from COVID-19 was also cause for ­celebration.

Mrs Appleby developed symptoms of the virus while in hospital a week ago as she was being treated for broken ribs sustained in a fall.

Medical staff at the hospital formed a guard of honour as she was discharged.

“I’ve fought it back. I’ve got there,” a triumphant Mrs Appleby declared.

In NSW, attention has turned to several clusters, including at the Anglicare Newmarch House aged-care facility in Caddens where six staff and four residents have tested positive.

The NSW Health Department says the first case was in a healthcare worker who worked with very mild symptoms while infectious.

There have been 31 staff and 66 residents identified as close contacts and they are in isolation.

The same worker also completed two shifts at Greystanes Disability Services in Jamisontown, where four residents and six staff are in isolation.