Daily blog, April 26: Four new coronavirus cases confirmed

Four new cases of coronavirus, all from the North-West of Tasmania have been confirmed since 6pm last night.

Get all the latest updates on the coronavirus crisis sweeping the state and country.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• State’s 10th coronavirus death confirmed
• Push for business recovery taskforce
• Homes light up to thank our ‘true heroes’
• Elective surgery restart a ‘top priority’
• Builders laid off as projects dry up
• Further protection for residential tenants
• $3m support package for visa holders

READ: Everything we know about all 205 cases of COVID-19 in Tasmania

9pm: FOUR NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES CONFIRMED

TASMANIA has four new cases of coronavirus infection confirmed since 6pm last night, all from the North-West.

Three of the confirmed cases are women and one is a man. They are aged in their 20s, 30s 50s and 70s.

All cases are directly or indirectly linked to the outbreak at the North West Regional Hospital. Two are healthcare workers who worked at the NWRH, one was a recent inpatient at the NWRH, and one was a close contact of a previous NWRH healthcare worker case.

Director of Public Health, Dr Mark Veitch, said a concerted effort was being made to identify any further cases of coronavirus in Tasmania.

Anyone in Tasmania who currently, or in the last few days has had respiratory symptoms like a cough, sore throat, runny nose, or fever should arrange testing through the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 or their GP.

For further information about coronavirus in Tasmania visit www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au

Tomorrow’s State Government coronavirus briefing is at 11am.

Watch it live on the Mercury website or Facebook page.

8pm: NO TIMELINE FOR RELEASE OF VIRUS INVESTIGATION FINDINGS

THERE is still no indication when Tasmanians will learn what led to a deadly coronavirus cluster in the North-West with the State Government failing to give a definitive answer on when the investigative report will be released.

Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said the Public Health Service report into the outbreak at the North West Regional Hospital has been completed and was being read by Tasmania’s health officials.

“The PHS has completed a report describing the outbreak,” Dr Veitch said during Sunday’s daily coronavirus briefing.

“It is being shared internally and will allow Tasmania to better respond in the future.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

6.30pm: DIGITAL HANDSHAKE’: APP TRACES PEOPLE 1.5M FROM YOU

Australians are being encouraged to download the government’s voluntary coronavirus tracing app which is available from 6pm today.

Government Services Minister Stuart Robert said the app was developed with one purpose: to stop the spread of coronavirus.

“Once installed and running, the COVIDSafe app uses Bluetooth to look for other phones that also have the app installed,” he said.

“To be effective, users should have the app running in the background when they are coming into contact with others.

“Your phone does not need to be unlocked for the app to work.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

11.15am: 11TH TASMANIAN CORONAVIRUS DEATH

An 11th person has died from coronavirus in Tasmania. The man, aged in his 90s, died at the Mersey Community Hospital overnight.

Health Minister Sarh Courtney made the announcement during the State Government’s daily briefing this morning.

Ms Courtney also revealed the North-West health care worker who was yesterday confirmed to have coronavirus worked only in the COVID clinic at the Mersey Community Hospital and posed no risk to other patients in the region.

She also revealed 123 Tasmanians have recovered from coronavirus and have been released from isolation.

Ms Courtney also thanked Tasmanians – particularly those on the North-West Coast – for their patience and compliance with the restrictions

“Please continue complying, it is incredibly important,” she said.

“Think about the healthcare workers on the front line. Think about small businesses that have had to lay off staff. Think about the family members of those people who have died.”

Watch the State Government’s daily coronavirus update from 11am in the video below:

Daily COVID-19 update live at 11am. *Audio will commence at the beginning of the press conference 11am.

Posted by The Mercury Newspaper on Saturday, 25 April 2020

10.25am: COUNCIL FACES MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR LOSS

THE Hobart City Council is anticipating losing more than $6 million in revenue in a four-month period due to the coronavirus and has already taken out a $20 million loan to keep cash flowing.

The council will hold its first online meeting on Monday night.

The Lord Mayor, elected members and staff will log into the meeting via Zoom and members of the public will be able to watch via a YouTube link that will be available on the council’s Facebook page prior to the start of the meeting.

One of the main items on the agenda is a financial report into the council’s COVID-19 response since March.

MORE TO COME...

9.50pm, Saturday: BUSINESS LEADERS PUSH FOR RECOVERY TASKFORCE

THE community’s heightened desire for self-sufficiency amid the coronavirus crisis will be a key driver of Tasmania’s eventual recovery, economic observers predict.

Premier Peter Gutwein will this week outline details of “Tasmania’s pathway to recovery” and key business figures are urging the State Government to set up a recovery taskforce to lead the process.

“A number of good heads together is likely to get good outcomes,” said tourism operator Robert Pennicott.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

9.40pm, Saturday: JUST ONE NEW CORONAVIRUS CASE

TASMANIA recorded just one new confirmed coronavirus case on Saturday — another North-West healthcare worker.

Acting public health director Scott McKeown confirmed on Saturday night that the patient was male and in his 40s.

The state’s COVID-19 tally now stands at 208, with 10 deaths.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE