One of Tasmania’s latest cases of coronavirus could be community transmission

Tasmania’s coronavirus tally has surged to 59 overnight as authorities rush to identify the cause of a health worker’s infection in the state’s north-west.

THE health worker in Tasmania’s north-west that tested positive for coronavirus had worked in the Mersey Community Hospital’s emergency department, officials have confirmed.

An investigation has been launched by Public Health Services into the case to determine close contacts of the worker.

Acting Director of Public Health Scott McKeown would not say if the case was being treated as an incident of community transmission.

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Dr McKeown said to date, all previous cases in Tasmania had been linked to overseas travel or travel on cruise ships.

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Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein during a press conference at Hobart. Picture Chris Kidd

“It’s a very serious incident that needs a thorough investigation,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Sarah Courtney said another Tasmanian case had been confirmed overnight, taking the state’s tally to 59.

No further information is yet known about the most recent case.

It comes as Premier Peter Gutwein announced even stronger measures to protect Tasmanians from the spread of coronavirus.

On Friday, Mr Gutwein said anybody who had returned from overseas by sea or air from March 14 would be told to isolate in government-run facilities.

But on Saturday, Mr Gutwein said measures would be taken a step further and he vowed to build “Fortress Tasmania” to use the state’s advantage of being an island in response to the virus threat.

“From midnight Sunday, any non-essential traveller arriving in the state either through our airports or through our ferry port will be placed into self-quarantine for 14 days in a government-run facility,’’ he said.

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“So any non-essential traveller, whether you are a Tasmanian or somebody coming from interstate, you will be placed into a government-operated facility.”

Mr Gutwein said Communities Tasmania would be establishing three facilities – one each in the south, north and north-west – and they would be overseen by Tasmania Police with support from the Australian Defence Force.

Arrivals will be escorted to the facilities, Mr Gutwein said.

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“We are an island state, we have an advantage, but we need people to work with us,’’ he said.

“Yesterday was a wake-up call for Tasmanians. The confirmation last night that a health worker in the north-west of the state has tested positive should remind us all that we are not immune from this virus.

“That’s why we’re taking it so seriously, that’s why all Tasmanians need to take this seriously.

“The message is, stay home, save lives.”

The Premier again renewed his calls for people to stay at home and not congregate in groups, saying police would be patrolling popular spots like beaches.