Covid numbers on the rise in Tasmania again

The number of Covid-19 cases in the Tasmanian community is expected to rise to a new peak over the next two months as part of a fresh wave of infections nationwide. DETAILS>>>

The number of Covid-19 cases in the Tasmanian community is expected to rise to a new peak over the next two months as part of a fresh wave of infections nationwide.

There were 1700 new cases reported on Wednesday — the highest figure in almost three months — and another death, of a man in his 80s in the state’s north.

There was 79 people hospitalised with Covid.

The state last week ended the public health state of emergency declaration and wound back the last government-mandated public health measures, including mask-wearing.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said on Wednesday that the pandemic was far from over — and he recommended people wear masks indoors.

He said he expected case numbers to continue to rise.

“Public health advice is that this is expected to peak in around August or September of this year,” he said.

“We are a highly-vaccinated state and nation, which continues to provide a level of protection against these strains.

“However it is important to take personal responsibility and continue to exercise Covid behaviours of which of course, we are all very familiar with.

“This means staying up to date with vaccines and choosing to wear a mask when it’s not easy to socially distance.

Premier of Tasmania, Jeremy Rockliff arrives at Parliament house, Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“In fact in the current circumstances with rising case numbers, I would strongly recommend the wearing of masks in indoor public spaces.”

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the spike in cases highlighted the government's failure to maintain public health measures.

“The Covid situation in Tasmania is untenable. The skyrocketing cases and hospitalisations are down to the Liberals’ reckless, unscientific decision to facilitate mass infection and reinfection.

“As international and independent health experts – and the Greens – have warned, Covid subvariants BA. 4 and BA. 5 are highly infectious and more severe than earlier mutations. Without strong protections, mass community transmission will continue unabated.”

Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said removing the public health emergency declaration would have little effect of the spread of the virus.

“Viruses don’t pay any attention to whether there’s a public health emergency in place, the only thing that affects the survival of the virus is our behaviour.

“We’re seeing a wave of BA. 5 omicron infections. This is the fifth wave of infections that occurred nationally and the fourth wave of infection that’s occurred in Tasmania — we didn’t see much of Delta last year but we’ve experienced at least a little of each of the other waves.

“Case numbers are now definitely high. That’s similar to what we were seeing during the rise in BA2 omicron in March and April of this year, so that the trajectory looks quite similar to that.”

He said Tasmania would follow any advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation should a fourth vaccine dose be recommended more broadly in future.

The booster is being recommended for people in high risk groups.

Labor spokeswoman Sarah Lovell said she was concerned at the potential impact of increasing case numbers on the health system.

“We need to hear from the government what steps they are taking to ensure that the public hospital system and the private hospital system the health system generally can cope with any outbreaks that take place in Tasmania and any spikes in infection,” she said.

Tasmania reports record Covid hospitalisations - July 5

The number of Covid-19 infections in Tasmania is rising sharply — with a record number of people in hospital with the virus and calls for a mask mandate to be reintroduced.

The spike in cases comes as the state experiences its first serious flu season in three years, placing additional pressure on hospitals.

There have been more than 1,000 Covid cases recorded in the state in each of the last seven days and Tuesday’s 1588 new cases was the single-day highest figure since April.

Two more deaths were recorded, with 7743 active cases statewide.

The Department of Health reported 76 people were in hospital with the illness, two in intensive care. Nearly 200,000 Tasmanians have now had the virus.

There were 13 deaths in Tasmania in the first 22 months of the pandemic and 83 in the five months since, although the last of major public health measures designed to limit the spread of the virus were wound back last week.

Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff confirmed the deaths of two elderly men.

“Sadly, I can confirm two males, both in their 80s, have passed away in the state’s northwest and south,” he said.

“I extend my sincere condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff.

With Covid still circulating in our community it’s important to continue following the Covid-safe behaviours – practice good hand hygiene, follow social distancing and consider wearing a mask when you can’t, test when you have symptoms and stay home when you are unwell.

“Public Health officials have previously explained that fluctuations in daily case numbers are a part of living with Covid and it remains our collective responsibility to look out for one another by continuing to follow Covid-safe behaviours.

Tasmanian Greens leader Cassy O’Connor says the health officials have acted too soon.

“The soaring hospitalisations rate reported in the latest Covid-19 data is yet more evidence that the Government’s reckless approach to this deadly virus is putting Tasmanians at risk,” she said.

“The number of active cases has also continued to significantly increase.

“As indicated by international and interstate evidence, Tasmania is very likely entering a new wave of infection with new mutations of the virus.

“With the government’s current ‘let it rip’ approach, it is tragically inevitable that this number will continue to grow all too quickly.

Ms O’Connor said there was a need to reintroduce some of the measures which has been im place earlier in the pandemic.

“There are a range of simple, commonsense strategies like masks and ventilation that we should be using to slow the spread of coronavirus. Instead, Premier Rockliff is leaving Tasmanians – especially those who are immunocompromised or with disability – high and dry, and putting them at a hugely increased risk.

“How many more lives need to be lost before the Premier admits his Government has got this wrong, and finally starts listening to the international evidence and independent experts on Covid-19?”

Labor heath spokesman Josh Willie said everyone could play their bit in preventing the spread of Covid.

“You don’t have to wait for the government to tell you to wear a mask,” he said. “If you would like to wear a mask, you can.

And in fact, I do that, particularly indoors where you can’t socially distance. I’ve had Covid, I don’t want to catch it again.”

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