Daily blog, April 18: Eighth death as total cases reach 184
Four cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Tasmania’s North-West since 6pm on Friday night. Meanwhile, an eighth death was confirmed overnight.
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Homes light up to thank our ‘true heroes’
- The state has 180 infections
- What went wrong in the North West?
- More than 100 people fined for flouting lockdown laws
- IVF clinics in the state have been shut down
- Politician slammed for staying at East Coast shack
READ: Everything we know on every case of COVID-19 in Tasmania
Have questions about business and retail, finishing school or how your movements are restricted?
8.20pm: FOUR NEW VIRUS CASES IN STATE’S NORTH-WEST
Four cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Tasmania since 6pm on Friday night.
In a statement on Saturday evening acting Public Health Director Scott McKeown said all four cases were from the North-West, and all were men.
Two are in their 30s, one is aged in their 50s and one is in their 70s.
Three are healthcare workers who have worked at either the North West Regional Hospital or the North West Private Hospital and one is a close contact of a confirmed case.
Tests are continuing to be processed tonight for residents and staff at three North West nursing homes, where a worker had worked shifts before testing positive for coronavirus.
8pm: HEALTH PARTNERSHIP TO TRIPLE STATE’S TESTING RATES
TASMANIA will soon have the capacity to triple the number of coronavirus tests being conducted in the community, the State Government says.
Health Minister Sarah Courtney on Saturday announced a partnership between the state and federal governments and pathology company Sonic Healthcare to ramp up the state’s testing capabilities.
6.20pm: HOBART MARKET READY FOR RETURN
FARM Gate Market will be back in action on Saturday.
With uncertainty surrounding the market’s future in recent weeks, organisers took to Facebook to show their excitement to be back, but encouraged customers to begin heading out to the market solo.
4.30pm: FIVE WAYS YOU CAN #SHINE4THEFRONTLINE FROM HOME
WHILE Tasmanians gear up to play their part in the Mercury’s new #Shine4thefrontline campaign launching on Saturday at 8pm, more creative ideas are emerging for ways to participate.
Here are some clever ways you and your families can shine a light for the heroes who are working in essential services through the coronavirus pandemic:
12.30pm: HOSPITAL STAFF SAY ‘THANK YOU’
As supportive campaigns like #Shine4thefrontline and Let’s Say “Thanks!” gain momentum, hospital staff say they are grateful for the community support.
Hobart Private Hospital registered nurse Zoe Noye said she appreciated supportive gestures from the community and from other businesses for making her feel acknowledged.
“I think it’s really good for community spirit,” she said.
11.40am: BRACE FOR POSSIBLE AGED CARE OUTBREAK: PREMIER
PREMIER Peter Gutwein has warned Tasmanians to brace for the results of coronavirus testing in aged care facilities in the North West.
The Government said almost 500 tests were carried out in aged care facilities in the region yesterday, with Royal Hobart Hospital staff working through the night to have them processed.
Mr Gutwein said the results would be made public by the end of the day.
1120am: TESTING CAPACITY TRIPLED
HEALTH Minister Sarah Courtney has announced, in conjunction with the Federal Government and Sonic Health, that Tasmania’s testing capacity will increase three fold in coming weeks.
Ms Courtney said the additional testing would particularly focus on rural and regional areas and where it was needed most.
11.10am: EIGHTH DEATH ON NORTH-WEST COAST
A 74-year-old North-West coast man has become Tasmania’s eighth COVID-19 death.
There are now 184 cases across the State including 111 cases on the North-West coast.
As of this morning, 68 people have recovered from coronavirus.
“This virus moves through people and I would ask all Tasmanians to do what they can to limit the spread of the virus,” Premier Peter Gutwein said.
About 700 vehicles were intercepted with the vast majority doing the right thing.
Mr Gutwein warned Tasmanians to brace themselves for the results of testing on the North-West coast and would not rule out a further outbreak.
The Premier encouraged everyone to get on-board with The Mercury’s #shine4thefrontline campaign and light up their homes at 8pm this evening.
11am: MORNING BRIEFING
Tune in for this morning’s coronavirus update with the Premier Peter Gutwein, Health Minister Sarah Courtney and health officials.
Watch it at this link:
Yesterday, 9.05pm: FOUR MORE CASES OF CORONAVIRUS
FOUR more cases of coronavirus have been recorded in the state’s North-West.
Two of the cases are healthcare workers who have worked at either the North West Regional Hospital or the North West Private Hospital. One is a former patient of the NWRH and one is a close contact of a confirmed case.
Three are women and one is a man with one aged in their 50s, one in their 60s and two are aged in their 70s.
Public Health Director Dr Mark Veitch said the cases brought the state’s total to 184.
“Test results of residents and staff in the three nursing homes in the North-West where a healthcare worker had worked prior to testing positive are expected tomorrow,” Dr Veitch said.
The situation with coronavirus is changing regularly. People can stay up to date by visiting the Department of Health coronavirus website www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au or the Australian Government Department of Health website at www.health.gov.au.
Yesterday, 9pm: AFL HUB STILL POSSIBLE DESPITE NW OUTBREAK
BURNIE’S coronavirus outbreak should not affect Tasmania’s chances of hosting an AFL hub with Premier Peter Gutwein highlighting the state’s “low case numbers” in Hobart and Launceston as reasons it still could get the green light.
Put on hold after crowd-less round one games, the AFL on Monday next week will announce plans to restart the season.
League boss Gill McLachlan is confident the remaining 144 home-and-away games would be played this year and without the need to shut it down again should a player test positive to coronavirus.
Yesterday, 7.35pm: HOMES LIGHT UP TO THANK OUR ‘TRUE HEROES’
THOUSANDS of Tasmanians are ready to light up their homes each night to show their support for frontline workers.
Businesses, councils and political leaders have also thrown their support behind the #shine4thefrontline campaign.
The Mercury launched the campaign as a way to pay tribute to frontline workers for their dedication during these unprecedented times.
The campaign has attracted tripartisan support, with Premier Peter Gutwein encouraging all Tasmanians to do what they can to take part.
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