Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff tests positive to Covid

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has tested positive to Covid the morning after attending the sold-out JackJumpers’ NBL Grand Final game at MyState Bank Arena. LATEST >>

EVERY member of the capacity crowd at Sunday’s JackJumper’s game – including both teams – will need to watch out for Covid symptoms after Premier Jeremy Rockliff tested positive for Covid-19 after attending the match.

Mr Rockliff tested positive for the virus on Monday morning.

Although the risk is likely to be small to most who attended, under Health Department guidelines all 4738 spectators at MyState Bank Arena, plus players, officials, venue staff and media are considered “social contacts” of a positive case.

Social contacts are defined anyone who has “spent over two hours with a confirmed case in the same indoor space during their infectious period”.

Given the timing of Mr Rockliff’s diagnosis, he would have been unknowlingly infectious over the entire weekend.

Social contacts are not required to quarantine – but do have to stay at home until they receive a negative test result if they develop symptoms.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff at the JackJumpers grand final series against the Sydney Kings at MyState Bank Arena. Picture: Chris Kidd

Among the crowd was NBL chief Larry Kestelman, Opposition leader Rebecca White, basketball great Luc Longley, cricketer Tim Payne, former premiers Peter Gutwein and David Bartlett and Sports and Recreation Minister Nic Street.

Mr Rockliff revealed his positive test result in a statement early on Monday and said he would quarantine for a week.

“This morning I woke up with mild Covid-19 symptoms and undertook a rapid antigen test,” he said.

“I have tested positive for Covid-19 and will now follow public health advice and isolate for the next seven days.

“Due to being fully vaccinated, including my booster, I am feeling well and will recover while working from home.”

Mr Rockliff said all Tasmanias should follow the Covid-safe advice from the Director of Public Health.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff at the JackJumpers grand final series against the Sydney Kings at MyState Bank Arena. Picture: Chris Kidd

“I encourage Tasmanians, no matter how mild, to stay home if you’re feeling unwell and get tested.

“Please, remember the important Covid safe behaviours – wash your hands and sanitise, and cover coughs and sneezes.

Attorney General Elise Archer wished Mr Rockliff a speedy recovery.

“The premier has issued a statement saying he has Covid and we wish him well in his recovery,” she said.

“He has mild symptoms and it just goes to show that vaccinations are important to reduce the impact are the side effects of Covid.

“In relation to cabinet, everybody else is well and doing fine and we’ll take any necessary precautions and follow public health advice as we always do in relation to social distancing, making sure we use hand sanitisers and wash our hands regularly.

“I’d encourage it every member of the Tasmanian community to do the same and follow public health advice.”

State Health Commander Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said Tasmanians need to be aware that Covid is still present across the state and at any large event it’s likely that people present would be unaware that they are infectious.

“It is unlikely that this seated event would result in widespread transmission of COVID-19, with seated events deemed to be a much lower risk than free moving events, because they involve less mixing of people,” said Ms Morgan-Wicks.

“However, as with any event, with a large number of people gathering, people should not attend if sick, and if they are well and they attend - they should monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and get tested if symptoms develop following the event. The same rules apply for attending work, school or other sites with large numbers of people gathering.”

59th death recorded as case numbers drop - May 9

Another Tasmanian has died with Covid as the state records 733 new cases with 835 people recovered and released from isolation within the last 24 hours.

Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff confirmed a man in his 80s had died with the virus at a residential aged care facility in the south.

“The total number of active cases currently stands at 6090 and we now have more than 137,118 Tasmanians who have recovered from Covid.” he said.

There are currently 43 people in hospital with Covid and of these 13 are being treated specifically for Covid, while one person is in the ICU.

Daily case numbers are on a downward trend as the state’s total death toll since the start of the pandemic hits 59.

The Premier is urging vulnerable Tasmanians to book in their second booster shot as well as their flu shot ahead of winter at their local pharmacy or GP.

Two Tasmanians die with Covid overnight

Saturday, May 7

TASMANIA has recorded two more Covid-19 deaths taking the toll since the start of the pandemic to 58.

A woman in her 80s died in the Royal Hobart Hospital overnight while another woman in the same age bracket did at a aged care facility in the state’s south,Tasmania recorded 903 new cases of the virus with 939 people recovered and released from isolation in that time.

 The total number of active cases stands at 6197.More than 136,000 Tasmanians have contracted and recovered from Covid-19.

 There are currently 48 people in hospital with the virus, Sixteen are being treated specifically for Covid-19 symptoms. There is currently one person being cared for in the ICU.

Hospital wards shut down as Tassie records grim Covid toll

Friday, April 29

ANOTHER Tasmanian has died with Covid-19 taking the death toll since the start of the pandemic to 50.

The man, in his late 70s, died at a residential aged care facility in the state’s north.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said overall Covid-19 case numbers were trending downwards after a peak earlier this month and hospital numbers were expected to soon decline.

“We are continuing to see day to day fluctuations in case numbers, but overall, cases have been trending downwards across the last seven days compared to the peak seen earlier this month,” said Mr Rockliff.

“Our hospitalisations remain among the lowest in the nation, and we expect to see the number of people in hospital for COVID decline over the next few weeks.”

A number of hospital wards in Tasmania’s south have been closed following a Covid outbreak.

Two patients have tested positive to the virus at the Repatriation Hospital in Hobart while another has tested positive at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Vaccination Emergency Operations Centre Commander Dale Webster during the Covid update at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kiddd

Acting State Health Commander Dale Webster said the three patients have been transferred to a designated Covid ward at the RHH as other patients inside the involved wards are tested and contact tracing is conducted.

“Patients will continue to be monitored for symptoms over the next five to seven days with testing as advised by the Incident Management Group,” said Mr Webster.

“The wards are closed to non-COVID admissions and visitors until further notice, except on compassionate grounds, while the outbreak is managed.”

Mr Webster advised that it is still safe for the public to visit the RHH and REpatraiation Hospital as only one ward in each facility was affected.

The state recorded 1090 fresh cases in the reporting period to take the total number of active cases to 6375.

There are 16 people in the state’s hospitals being treated specifically for the virus and three are in ICU.

The release of the latest case numbers come as close contact rules are eased and the Check In Tas is retired on Monday.

Covid vaccinations are available at the following state-run clinics:

• Clarence High School, 29-30 April, 9am-4:30pm
• Montrose Bay High School, Glenorchy 29-30 April, 9am-4:30pm;
• PWI, Hobart, 29 April, 9am-4:30pm;
• Baden Powell Hall, Huonville, 30 April, 9am-3:30pm;
• The Old Transit Centre, Launceston, 29 April, 9am-4:30pm;
• Scottsdale Squash Centre, 30 April, 9am-12pm; and
• Sorell School, 1 May, 9am-12pm.

Originally published as Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff tests positive to Covid