Elderly man dies in Hobart from coronavirus, the state’s second fatality from the deadly virus

A second Tasmanian has died from coronavirus as the Premier implores Tasmanians to abide by strict new lockdown measures.

Director of Public Health Dr. Mark Veitch speaks to media at the daily government COVID-19 briefing. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

AN elderly man has died from COVID-19 in Hobart, taking Tasmania’s death toll from the global pandemic to two, Premier Peter Gutwein has revealed.

The man, from the state’s South, died in the Royal Hobart Hospital on Monday night. He had been a passenger on the Ruby Princess cruise ship.

“I want to extend my deepest sympathy to his family and friends,” the Premier said. “This is a very, very sad time. This is two deaths in Tasmania, two deaths too many.

“It serves as a warning towards us all. These are going to be tough and difficult times, and we must all play a part to keep Tasmania safe.”

The Premier reiterated the need for Tasmanians to obey the strict new lockdown measures, which include allowing only two people out together in public, not leaving the house except to get essential supplies or go to work or school, or to exercise or provide care for others.

“This virus is deadly, this virus will kill you, take the necessary steps,” he said.

“Social distancing and abiding by the rules will save your life … stay home and save lives.”

Daily COVID-19 update from the Government

Posted by The Mercury Newspaper on Monday, 30 March 2020

Mr Gutwein welcomed the Federal Government’s $130 billion JobKeeper package, saying it would help many employers through the current crisis.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney said the man who died at the Royal Hobart Hospital was aged in his 80s. His death followed that of a woman in the state’s North-West the day before.

“I’m advised that both deaths we have [were people who] had travelled on the Ruby Princess,” Ms Courtney said.

The cause of two cases of coronavirus from the state’s North remains unknown with investigations continuing while 10 people have fully recovered.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney said the two people to have died in Tasmania from coronavirus had both travelled on the Ruby Princess cruise ship. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Labor leader Rebecca White said she was saddened by the news of the man’s death.

“It’s heartbreaking that we’ve lost somebody else in Tasmania to this disease, but I fear that it won’t be the last,” she said.

“Tasmania has an older and a sicker population compared to the national average so we need to be prepared for the impact this is going to have on our community.

“This is why the Labor Party has been calling for the Government to act more urgently and to move more swiftly to stop the operation of non-essential services because the spread of this virus is rampant once it becomes widespread in the community.

“Nobody is immune and we all need to be hyper-vigilant now to keep each other safe.”

Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch said testing will be expanded to general practices and emergency departments in an effort to quash any potential community transmission.

“We picked up the two people in the Devonport area through existing [testing] mechanisms but now we’re expanding testing to see if there is evidence of community transmission,” he said.

More than 200 people a day are being tested for the virus statewide.