Tasmania nears 99% first dose vaccinated, 726 new cases recorded

The Premier has announced some proposed changes for the Check In Tas app and revealed why we may need to stay masked up for a little longer. LATEST COVID UPDATE >>

As thousands of Tasmanians continue to check in daily at venues across the state, Premier Peter Guwein has announced some proposed changes to the requirement, which may include ditching the process for a number of settings.

“While there is no change, and I want to stress this, there is no change to current policy settings, a review is underway to determine whether the app should remain in place only for certain high risk settings such as aged cares, hospitals, large mass gatherings or festivals etc.” he said.

The proposed changes come as Dr Mark Veitch revealed that Tasmanians may need to remain masked up for a little longer with an end in sight to the restriction not clear.

“I think there’s good evidence from other jurisdictions’ experiences that masks help and attenuate the transmission in community,” said Dr Veitch.

Doctor Mark Veitch director of public health. Covid presser with Premier Peter Gutwein. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“So while we still have a far bit of transmission in the community I think it’s sensible that we wear masks in the settings where we are more likely to spread it to each other.”

“I think we would want to get to a situation where we have fewer Covid cases and I can’t predict to you quite when we are going to bottom out of the trough of the wave.”

Meanwhile the state government is preparing thousands of back to school packs ahead of Tasmanian students’ return to classrooms next week.

Premier Peter Gutwein said every child will receive a package containing two RATs, a mask and Covid safety information.

A click and collect system will be in place for packages with distribution points communicated to each centre by the Department of Education.

“Direct postal and courier services will be in place to regional and remote centres,” said Mr Gutwein.

“As parents turn up to collect their books, they will receive their back to school packs as well.”

Covid numbers in the state have plateaud and there are no longer any patients infected with the virus in intensive care.

Tasmania recorded another 726 new Covid cases overnight with a total of 5,100 active cases across the state.

Tasmania nears 99% first dose vaccinated - January 27

Tasmania has recorded another 726 new Covid cases overnight.

Active cases across the state are decreasing daily with 5026 people infected, dropping from 5100 on Wednesday.

794 people have been released from isolation over the last 24 hours with a total of 22,092 released and recovered from Covid in Tasmania.

A total of 24 people have been hospitalised however only 12 patients are being specifically treated with Covid.

The latest statistics released by the Department of Health come as the state nears a 99% first dose vaccination status for people 12 years and over.

A total of 98.34% of the population aged 12 and over have currently received their first dose while 44.26% of five to 11 year olds have also received their first vaccine.

Fourth Tasmanian dies in latest Covid outbreak

TASMANIA has recorded its fourth Covid-19 death of the latest outbreak with an elderly woman dying overnight.

The 80-year-old woman had been in hospital since January 13 and was treated for Covid-19 pneumonia.

Premier Peter Gutwein passed on his sincerest condolences to the woman’s loved ones.

“While we continue to progress through this transition phase, the evidence remains clear that the most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get vaccinated,” he said.

Parents wanting to get their school aged children vaccinated can attend two state-run clinics in Hobart today and Friday in readiness for a return to school the education union says Tasmania is not adequately prepared for.

Tasmania recorded 712 new Covid-19 infections overnight.

The State has just under 5100 active cases while the number of previously-infected people released from isolation has risen to 21,298 - meaning four times as many people have recovered than are currently infected.

Twenty-eight people with the virus are in hospital but only 11 are being treated specifically for Covid-19 symptoms. One has been released from ICU leaving only two receiving intensive treatment.

The Australian Education Union Tasmanian branch says more work needs to be done to make schools safe in the two weeks remaining before children return to the classroom.

Labor presser

AEU Tasmania President David Genford said the plan, which should have been underpinned with educator consultation, failed to address four key areas: ventilation, contact isolation, masks, and adequate testing.

“The Government promised a full audit of all learning and working spaces and instead only a window assessment was undertaken – a measure which fell well short of making classrooms and other spaces safe,” he said.

“There is no plan to actually measure ventilation with CO2 monitors.

“Exempting educators from the definition of close contacts forces teachers and staff to return to work, despite knowing they could be a risk to their students and colleagues. That is unacceptable and is a poor cover for failing to adequately staff schools.”

Under the government’s return to school plan, students, teachers and staff can face up to five exposures to a COVID positive case in their class before there is Public Health intervention. “This is a plan to keep schools open regardless of the risk,” the union said..

Mr Genford said cloth and surgical masks would not adequately protect people from the Omicron variant but there was no plan to provide N95 or P2 masks to staff or students.

Today’s clinic at Clarence High School in Bellerive accepts walk-in appointments while the clinic at Montrose Bay High School in Glenorchy on Friday requires bookings.

Children must be accompanied by a parent.

Book now by visiting coronavirus.tas.gov.au/vaccine or call the Public Health Hotline [phone].

Children can also get vaccinated at participating GPs

Third Tasmanian dies with Covid following border reopening

A THIRD Tasmanian has died with Covid-19 named as a contributing factor as the State’s Public Health Director says the State was past its peak in community transmission of the virus.

The 79-year-old woman died today in the Launceston General Hospital.

Premier Peter Gutwein said she had seriously underlying health conditions.

Mr Gutwein said the coroner was still investigating whether a 36-year-old woman in the State’s North West who died had succumbed from Covid-19 infection or other medical reasons.

Dr Mark Veitch said he expected the recording of 600-700 positive cases a day to continue for a while before it fell further.

Covid Presser

“I hope by time we even think of a new wave of Omicron we will have a highly boosted population,” Dr Veitch said.

“Being boosted is a powerful determinant if you end up in hospital or die.”

He also urged the 2000-3000 Tasmanians aged between 50 and 60 who had not been vaccinated at all to do so now.

Mr Gutwein said school nurses would be contacting families with children with disabilities or medical conditions that make them vulnerable, to talk about what adjustments are needed for their children to attend school.

Extra school buses will be put on high-use routes to make social distancing easier and all students aged over 12 will need to wear masks.

Buses will also be cleaned regularly.

Tasmanian aged cares riddled with Covid

The Department of Health has confirmed a third covid related death since borders reopened, with the latest statistics revealing there have now been 16 deaths linked to the virus since 2020.

The woman was 79-years-old with serious underlying health conditions.

Meanwhile Hobartians can get a Covid-19 booster shot at a clinic at Macquarie Wharf 2 today and walk-ins will be accepted.

The clinic, open to those aged 12 years and older, will be open from 9am until 5pm and while bookings are preferred, the Department of Health says walk-ins can get their booster shot today only.

WATCH LIVE UPDATE FROM PREMIER >>

The number of daily active Covid-19 cases recorded in Tasmania in the 24-hours to 10am remained much the same as yesterday at 643.

Thirty five people are in hospital with the infection, but the department says just 15 are being specifically treated for Covid-19 symptoms.

Three people remain in ICU.

The total number of previously-infected Tasmanians released from isolation has now surpassed 20,000.

Barrington Lodge, New Town.

Twelve aged care providers in Tasmania have active cases of Covid-19 among staff and residents, latest figures from the federal government show.

The Tasmanian aged care providers impacted as of January 20 were Barrington Lodge, Wynyard Care Centre, Grenoch Home, Umina Park, Fred French Nursing Home, Yaraandoo Hostel, Ainslie Low Head, Huon Eldercare, May Shaw Aminya, Meercroft Care and Regis Tasmania.

The Tasmanian Government has supplied seven clinical and two support staff to help deal with the aged care situation.

All up, 15 residents and 58 staff have the virus.

Nationally, there are almost 20,000 active cases across 1198 aged care facilities.