Daily blog, April 30: Coronavirus claims thirteenth victim in Tasmania with death of 86-year-old woman

Two new cases of coronavirus have been announced in Tasmania, bringing the state's total to 221. This follows two more deaths announced today, bringing the death toll to 13.

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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: TWO NEW CASES DIAGNOSED

Two new cases of coronavirus have been diagnosed since 6pm last night. 

The two cases were in the state's North and North West, bringing the state's total to 221. Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said one case was a man and one case was a woman.

"One case is aged in their 50s, the other is in their 70s," he 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."

7pm: THIRTEEN CORONAVIRUS DEATH CONFIRMED

TASMANIA has recorded its thirteenth coronavirus death – an 86-year-old woman who died Thursday morning at the Mersey Community Hospital.

The tragic news came the same day as another death was confirmed in the state’s North West, also an 86-year-old woman, who passed away on Wednesday.

Premier Peter Gutwein said the state’s North West had now suffered 12 losses to the virus.

“It is a stark reminder of the serious nature of this virus and our need to maintain strong measures to mitigate its spread,” he said.

5pm: REVEALED: FOUR-POINT PLAN TO EASE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

THERE are several conditions to easing back coronavirus restrictions in Tasmania.

The state’s borders will remain closed for “some time”, but the government has outlined the steps it will take before restrictions are eased.

In state parliament today, Premier Peter Gutwein said the government was taking an approach involving “four safeguards” before winding back the current rules.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

4.30pm: MEET GUTWEIN’S ‘HIGH-POWERED’ RECOVERY TEAM

A HIGH-POWERED recovery committee of business and community leaders will devise a plan to restart the Tasmanian economy as it emerges from the coronavirus pandemic.

Premier Peter Gutwein announced the Premier’s Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council in parliament today.

It will be headed by former Treasury chief Don Challen and will provide its first advice to the government by July.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

11.30am: HEALTH SYSTEM WAS ‘UNDERPREPARED’, SAYS LABOR LEADER

THE report into a COVID-19 outbreak in the state’s North-West revealed a hospital system that was underprepared and under-resourced, Labor leader Rebecca White says.

In state parliament on Thursday morning, Ms White asked the Premier why the hospitals in the region were not ready to deal with the pandemic despite having ample advance notice.

Twelve people have died in Tasmania due to coronavirus — 11 of them in the North-West.

Ms White said the report identified failures in infection control and in the movement of patients and staff that had not occurred elsewhere.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

10am: HOW DEADLY VIRUS SPREAD ACROSS THE NORTH-WEST

THE ill-fated Ruby Princess cruise ship was the “root cause” of a deadly coronavirus outbreak in Tasmania’s North-West, with health care workers infected through hospitalised passengers then passing on the virus to other staff and patients.

The interim report, handed down this morning by Premier Peter Gutwein, shows health care staff continued to work at the Burnie hospital despite showing symptoms.

Infected staff then met with others in meetings and break rooms, spreading the virus further.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

8.45am: CORONAVIRUS CLAIMS TWELFTH VICTIM IN TASMANIA

AN 86-YEAR-OLD woman has become the twelfth person to die from coronavirus in Tasmania.

Premier Peter Gutwein was visibly emotional when he confirmed the news this morning.

He said the North-West woman, who was being cared for at the Mersey Community Hospital, passed away last night.

“It is with great sadness I can confirm another life has very sadly been lost to coronavirus in Tasmania,” Mr Gutwein said.

“This is the twelfth life lost to coronavirus in Tasmania, with 11 of those related to the North-West.

“On behalf of the Tasmanian Government, I extend my deepest sympathies to her family, friends and loved ones at this very hard time.”

8.30AM: THE STATE GOVERNMENT’S DAILY CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

7am: LOCKDOWN EXIT PLAN TO BE ANNOUNCED IN PARLIAMENT

PREMIER Peter Gutwein has unveiled part of his plan to reopen Tasmania after the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed 12 lives to date.

The reopening of green spaces will be one of the first steps out of our COVID-19 induced hibernation.

Today, Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein will deliver his vision for the state’s recovery in parliament, as the number of new cases starts to stabilise and the North-West coronavirus cluster shows signs of settling down.

In what is expected to be the Premier’s most optimistic speech since the crisis took hold in Australia, Mr Gutwein said he was focused on rebuilding a stronger Tasmania.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

6.30am: MAX QUICK HAPPY TO BE BACK ON AUSTRALIAN SOIL

THERE were cheers for the cabin crew and pilots and an overwhelming sense of relief among travellers on a mercy flight home from Argentina, a Tasmanian passenger says.

Max Quick, 19, was one of about 170 people — 150 of them Australians — who arrived in Melbourne on a special Qantas flight from Buenos Aires on Sunday.

All passengers were required to wear masks throughout the flight unless they were eating or drinking.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

6am: TASMANIA’S RENTAL CRISIS REACHES NEW PEAK

ALMOST 90 per cent of Tasmanian rental properties are unaffordable for those living on low incomes, a new national housing snapshot house found.

Anglicare will today release its 2020 Rental Affordability Snapshot as it calls for a permanent rise of the rate of welfare payments.

Taken on March 21 and 22, the Snapshot showed just 11 per cent of properties in Tasmania were affordable for those living on low incomes.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

8pm, Wednesday: ONE NEW CASE DIAGNOSED

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.”

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.