DAILY BLOG, April 7: Ruby Princess cruise ship passenger is third Tasmanian coronavirus death

Tasmania has recorded nine new cases of coronavirus – eight of them related to the outbreak at the North West Regional Hospital, including six staff members.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• The state’s coronavirus infections have risen to 89
• Big box retail, market future uncertain after social distancing guidelines ignored
• Majority of tourism operators lay of staff amid COVID-19 crisis
• Racing, betting banned, retail and trades could be next
• Campers have been fined for flouting lockdown regulations

Have questions about business and retail or how your movements are restricted?

READ: Everything we know on every case of COVID-19 in Tasmania

8.45pm: NINE NEW CASES OF CORONAVIRUS

TASMANIA has confirmed nine cases of coronavirus since 6pm on Monday night.

This brings the state’s tally to 98.

Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch said eight of the cases are from the state’s North-West and are all related to the current outbreak at the North West Regional Hospital.

Six of those cases are staff members at the hospital, whilc one is a recent inpatient and one is a close contact of a previous NWRH case.

The ninth case if from the state’s South.

Six of the cases are women and three are men. Three are aged in their 20s, two are in their 30s, one is in their 40s, one is in their 50s, one is in their 60s and one is in their 70s.

“An outbreak management team is already identifying and contacting any person who has had close contact with any of these staff and will ensure necessary actions are taken,” Dr Veitch said.

“In addition, Public Health Services is also following up household and social contacts of all confirmed cases.

“The case in southern Tasmania relates to a recently returned overseas traveller who was already in home-quarantine in accordance with border control measures.”

Dr Veitch said if any NWRH staff member or patient was determined to be a close contact of these cases, they will be contacted and advised of the action they need to take.

“It may be necessary for other staff and patients to be tested for coronavirus as investigations progress,” he said.

“We will assess and test any symptomatic staff member or patient who is symptomatic and has been at risk of exposure to coronavirus.”

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.

6.50pm: LEARNER DRIVERS CAN KEEP ON LEARNING

PARENTS can continue to supervise their learner driver family members, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson has confirmed.

“However, as we have always said, the safety and security of Tasmanians is our number one priority when it comes to protecting Tasmania from the spread of coronavirus,” he said.

“Learner driving is considered a learning activity. If you are supervising a learner driver, you must adhere to the rules, only drive within your municipality, and only stop if you are getting essential supplies. If you do not have an essential reason to stop anywhere, you should not exit the vehicle while out and about.

“Our message is clear, no one should be visiting outside their region or be away from their home without an essential reason.”

6.15pm: HARPER’S BIG BIRTHDAY IS ONE TO REMEMBER

NOT many children have received a birthday greeting as big and as special as six-year-old Harper Murphy.

When Harper’s dad Dan, who lives in Victoria, learnt current border restrictions would prevent him from visiting his daughter on her birthday, he started thinking of a way to still be able to make a big impact on her day.

Unable to be there in person for Harper’s special day on Tuesday, Mr Murphy arranged for local mobile advertising company Circuit Media to turn up outside Harper’s South Hobart home with a giant billboard wishing her a happy birthday.

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6pm: CORONAVIRUS UPHEAVAL IS ‘NOT A RENT HOLIDAY’

THE coronavirus pandemic is not an excuse for tenants to stop paying rent, the state’s real estate institute says.

Real Estate Institute of Tasmania chief executive Mark Berry said it was important to highlight the fact that tenants should continue to pay rent if they can.

“Unfortunately, REIT members are reporting that there are tenants that prior to this crisis were not in employment and have not been made redundant or stood down from employment [and] are using this situation as an opportunity not to pay rent,” he said.

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5.20pm: THIRD RUBY PRINCESS PASSENGER HAS DIED IN TASMANIA

TASMANIA has recorded its third death from coronavirus, with an elderly man falling victim to the disease on Tuesday.

The man in his 80s died at the North West Regional Hospital in Burnie.

He had been a passenger on the Ruby Princess cruise ship, which docked in Sydney last month.

All three Tasmanian deaths from coronavirus — who have all been aged in their 80s — were passengers on board that vessel.

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2.30pm: THIRD TASMANIAN CORONAVIRUS DEATH

A MAN in his 80s who tested positive for coronavirus has died at the North West Regional Hospital today.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Tony Lawler said the man was a passenger aboard the Ruby Princess.

“On behalf of the Tasmanian Health Service, the Department of Health, and all the dedicated staff at the North West Regional Hospital, I extend my condolences to the man’s family and loved ones,” Prof Lawler said.

“Out of respect, it is not appropriate to make further comment about this matter.

“Tasmania has now recorded the deaths of three people who tested positive for coronavirus.

“An outbreak management team continues to identify and contact any person who has had close contact with staff diagnosed with coronavirus to ensure necessary actions are taken.

“If any staff member or patient is determined to be a close contact of these cases, they will be contacted and advised of what action they need to take.

“We acknowledge the current situation is creating concern, both for staff and for the community. We are taking every action in accordance with best advice to ensure possible contacts are identified as quickly as possible. The safety of our patients and our dedicated staff remain our highest priority, and there may be some disruption to normal hospital operations while our investigation continues.”

MORE TO COME...

1.30pm: SURFERS FINED AT SWELL HOTSPOT

SEVERAL surfers trying to catch some waves at a popular break claim they have been fined as confusion grows around which beaches remain open.

The Parks and Wildlife Service has closed all national parks and reserves to public recreational use, which includes many surfing hot spots, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

But the situation has been made confusing by the fact council-managed beaches remain open.

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12.30pm: EXPECT TO BE PULLED OVER, TURNED AROUND AND EVEN CHARGED

TASMANIANS considering a getaway to their shacks over the Easter period have been told they will be pulled over, turned around and potentially charged if they try.

Premier Peter Gutwein and Police Commissioner Darren Hine warned against unnecessary travel as authorities adopt a hard-line approach to protect Tasmanians from coronavirus.

The State Government has repeatedly urged Tasmanians to stay at home and avoid any non-essential travel within the state.

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11.02am: ALLEGED QUARANTINE-DODGER RECEIVED WARNINGS, LAUNCHED MISSILE

A LAUNCESTON man who police will allege repeatedly escaped his enforced coronavirus quarantine in a Government facility will appear in Magistrates Court today.

The 50-year-old, who recently returned home from Victoria, is expected to appear by video link in Launceston Magistrates Court.

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9.56am: MAN ACCUSED OF SLIPPING ISOLATION NET AGAIN

IT APPEARS some members of the community continue to struggle with the concept of quarantine and what it entails.

Police say a 50-year-old man who allegedly slipped past security at a government-run quarantine motel in Launceston on Sunday and was charged with non-compliance offences has broken the rules again.

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9.26am: HOSPITAL VISITS LOCKED DOWN AS HEALTH WORKERS CONTRACT COVID-19

HOSPITALS will be locked down from noon today after an outbreak has been declared in the state’s North West.

Premier Peter Gutwein addressing the public this morning said from noon today there will be no visits to any hospitals across the state.

“Unless it’s a partner visiting at the birth of a child, unless it’s a parent visiting a dependent child that is in hospital, or unless it is for a compassionate reason ... there will be no visitors, apart from those reasons,” he said.

The measures follow a recorded outbreak at hospitals in the state’s North West where six health workers and one patient have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Mr Gutwein also emphasised aged care facilities and at-risk elderly and staying home over Easter, despite temptations of launching the boat, heading to the shack or travelling around the state to visit family.

“This Easter will be a difficult one,” he said.

“We’re asking people to have an Easter like they have not had before, this is an Easter where you will have to stay at home.”

“What we don’t want over the Easter period is people with time on their hands thinking they’ll pop in and see mum and dad.”

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9.15am: WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE LIVE

7.07am: THINK TANK SAYS ITS TIME TO LOOSEN RESTRICTIONS

A video from the Institute of Public Affairs calling for an end to lockdowns is being mocked on social media but there is a growing call for Australia to reconsider its current restrictions.

In the footage, posted to the conservative think tank’s social media accounts, policy director Gideon Rozner calls for the “sensible” reopening of churches, restaurants, cafes, bars and community sport.

“Our response to the coronavirus outbreak has decimated our society, ruined thousands of lives, turned Australia into a police state and, worst of all, put hundreds of thousands of Australians out of work,” Rozner says.

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6.30am: BOJO MOVED TO ICU AS CONDITION WORSENS

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been moved to intensive care after a dramatic slide in his battle against the coronavirus.

There were now serious concerns about his health, with his condition worsening overnight Australian time.

Foreign Minister Dominic Raab has been given control of some duties, but Mr Johnson remains Prime Minister.

He was conscious this morning after being moved to the high care unit at 4am AEST.

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8.45pm, yesterday: MORE HOSPITAL STAFF TEST POSITIVE

TWO of the new cases of coronavirus announced on Monday night are staff at the North West Regional Hospital.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Tony Lawler said it takes the number of NWRH staff who have tested positive for coronavirus in this outbreak to six. An inpatient has also previously tested positive.

A healthcare worker at the Mersey Community Hospital tested positive to the virus about a week ago.

“An outbreak management team is already identifying and contacting any person who has had close contact with either of these two staff and will ensure necessary actions are taken,” Prof Lawler said.

“If any staff member or patient is determined to be a close contact of these cases, they will be contacted and advised of what action they need to take.

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