Daily blog, April 29: One new COVID-19 case diagnosed

Only one new case of coronavirus has been diagnosed in Tasmania since 6pm yesterday, bringing the state's total number of infections to 219.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Independent review ordered into NW outbreak
• Relaxing restrictions could lead to secondary outbreaks
• Was there an illegal dinner party?
• Elective surgery restart a ‘top priority’
• Builders laid off as projects dry up
• Further protection for residential tenants

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

8pm: ONE NEW CASE DIAGNOSED AS PREMIER REVEALS LOCKDOWN EXIT PLAN

Since 6pm last night Tasmania has recorded only one new case of coronavirus, bringing the state's total to 219 cases.

Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said the woman is from the North West.

"The case is a woman, aged in her 20s, who is a healthcare worker from the North West," he said.

"A concerted effort is being made to identify any further cases of coronavirus in the North West."

This comes as PRemier Peter Gutwein announced details about Tasmania's coronavirus lockdown exit plan.

Anyone who lives in the North West 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.

The situation with coronavirus is changing frequently. 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.

1.45pm: MYSTERY STILL SURROUNDS ‘EQUIVOCAL’ TEST

IT IS still unknown whether there is a new coronavirus infection in southern Tasmania.

Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said though he did not want to discuss individual cases, it was not yet known if the inconclusive test in the state’s South was a positive or negative case.

“Equivocal tests are a very rare event, and to date this is almost the only truly equivocal test we’ve had in about 10,000 tests,” he said.

“When we get an equivocal test we always want to take a very precautious approach to managing that person, and we would generally manage them as if they are a positive case until we get evidence that they’re not.”

He said contact tracing had been undertaken for that person, with their close contacts all asked to quarantine.

“There will be further testing done on that person and when that result is through they’ll either be classified as a positive case or as a negative case. If it’s a negative case and we’re confident in that result we’ll be able to release them from quarantine.”

1.15pm: STAFF RETURN TO NORTH WEST REGIONAL HOSPITAL

THE medical crews who came to Tasmania’s aid in early April are leaving as local health care workers return to the decontaminated North West Regional Hospital.

A specialist medico team made up of AUSMAT members and ADF personnel flew in to staff the hospital’s Emergency Department, which was closed for deep cleaning, as the number of positive coronavirus cases linked with the Burnie facility continued to climb.

About 4500 staff members, patients and their families were forced into quarantine.

But Health Minister Sarah Courtney said about 20 cleared staff – nurses and administration workers – were ready to move back into the hospital.

“The Australian Defence Force and AUSMAT team handed over operation of the Emergency Department back to the NWRH this morning,” she said.

“This comes as staff have finished their quarantine period and are ready to return to work.

“There is a comprehensive return to work program for all staff exiting quarantine to ensure the safety of our staff, patients and the community as we reopen the hospital.

“I want to thank the AUSMAT and ADF teams for their service to Tasmania in an unprecedented time, providing essential medical services to our community.”

Tasmania has now recorded 218 positive coronavirus cases – 145 linked directly with the outbreak at the NWRH.

A report on what happened at the facility is due to be handed down Thursday morning.

Ms Courtney said all those returning to work had been tested for the virus and returned negative results, and received extra training.

“They will be screened every time they come to work,” Ms Courtney said.

“We are continuing to deep clean our hospital facilities and implementing stringent protocols to protect our staff and patients.

“We are being careful to ensure services are ready and safe to operate before reopening. This is happening through a staged approach.”

It comes as Premier Peter Gutwein confirmed 562 people remained in quarantine hotels around the state.

Mr Gutwein said no coronavirus restrictions would be eased in Tasmania until May 15 at the earliest.

He will announce on Friday if the extra restrictions put in place in the North-West will be lifted.

11am: THE STATE GOVERNMENT’S DAILY CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

9.30am: COMMITTED TO PROTECT YOUNG

THE rights and wellbeing of our youngest Tasmanians will be protected by a new framework.

Commissioner for Children and Young People Leanne McLean on Monday released the framework for monitoring children and young people during the coronavirus pandemic.

This would include engaging and listening to stakeholders, children and young people, and families and carers; bringing stakeholders together to learn and engage in shared advocacy; monitoring data and other information relevant to the impact; and advocating for improved responses to the pandemic by providing advice to decision makers about the issues affecting children and young people.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

8am: AUSSIE COVID-19 VACCINE SHOWS PROMISE

EARLY tests of a potential COVID-19 vaccine have shown promising results against the deadly virus, Queensland researchers say.

The University of Queensland’s COVID-19 vaccine has shown in preclinical tests it can raise high levels of antibodies that can neutralise the virus.

The university’s project co-leader Professor Paul Young said the results were an excellent indication the vaccine worked as expected.

“This is what we were hoping for, and it’s a great relief for the team given the tremendous faith placed in our technology by CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation), federal and Queensland governments and our philanthropic partners,” Prof Young said in a statement today.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

7.20am: HOSPITAL AT HOME FREES BEDS

HOSPITAL inpatients will now have the option to recover from the comfort of their own home.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney announced on Tuesday that a Hospital in the Home initiative had been launched in Hobart, with the aim to provide acute medical care for adult patients.

The joint initiative between the Royal Hobart Hospital’s general medical unit and the Community Rapid Response Service is expected to help prevent bed block and free up capacity at the RHH.

“This service will provide experienced hospital specialists to people in their home, and is supported by a pharmacist and other allied health services so that you get the same quality of care in your home as you would in the hospital,” Ms Courtney said.

“The care must be safe and practical to deliver at home, and currently excludes people who need post-surgical care and pregnancy-related care.”

The initiative’s first patient was a Kingston woman who was cared for at home after being discharged from the RHH last week.

“Discharging patients from hospital into the community when safe to do so is better for their recovery and frees up beds, which takes pressure off our emergency departments during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Ms Courtney said.

6am: TOP DOC APOLOGISES FOR SPREADING DINNER PARTY RUMOUR

AUSTRALIA’S top doctor has apologised to Tasmanian health care workers for comments he made publicly, about a rumour of an “illegal dinner party” amid a coronavirus outbreak in the state’s North West.

Professor Brendan Murphy made the revelation on April 14 when speaking to a New Zealand committee on coronavirus, in a public briefing which was broadcast online as well as on television in that country.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

2.50am: ‘EXTREME’ WET MARKETS OPERATING ON AUSTRALIA’S DOORSTEP

WILDLIFE wet markets selling dead bats along with other animal meats including cooked rats on sticks and charred dogs continue to operate in Indonesia despite urgent warnings about the risks to human health.

A report in The Australian contains shocking images of the animals being sold at the markets under conditions similar to those in Wuhan that led to the current COVID-19 disaster.

Australia is pushing an international campaign which it hopes will lead to a ban on wet markets. But authorities in Indonesia say they cannot shut down the markets because they are a source of food for local people.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

9pm, Tuesday: FOUR NEW COVID-19 CASES CONFIRMED

TASMANIA confirmed four new cases of coronavirus in the 24 hours to 6pm Tuesday, including one in the North, bringing the state’s total to 218.

It is the first case recorded in the North since April 5.

“Three of the cases are in the North-West, one is in the North,” Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch said.

“Three of the cases are women, one is a man.

“One is aged in their 20s, one is in their 40s, one is in their 50s, and one is in their 60s.

“Three cases are healthcare workers from the North-West, and one is a close contact of a confirmed case from the North-West.”

Dr Veitch said a concerted effort is being made to identify any further cases of coronavirus in the North-West.

“Anyone who lives in the North-West 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,” he said.

The situation with coronavirus is changing frequently.

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.

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