Where Tasmania’s Covid-19 cases are located

Surprise areas have emerged as Covid surges across Tasmania, with detailed new data revealing where every single case is located. SEE YOUR REGION’S CASE NUMBERS

Covid cases across the state are at record highs as Tasmania surges past 84,000 since the borders reopened on December 15.

With 11,415 cases currently active, The Mercury has combed through data the Tasmanian Government has released data into infections.

The new “Weekly Surveillance Report” will be released every Thursday, with the first report being released out of the blue on Saturday.

Previously such granular data was available in other states but not Tasmania, which only released statistics about broad regions.

The data goes back all the way to December 15, when the Tasmanian state border reopened and the state was flooded with new Covid cases.

The figures show that Northern Tasmania was most heavily hit after the border reopening, particularly in the Devonport and Burnie local government areas.

Devonport was by far the worst hit, with 287 infections per 100,000 population - nearly three times the state average. There have been 7021 cases in Devonport since December 15.

In terms of demographics, young people had the highest rates of infections, with those in their 20s most at risk followed by children aged five to nine.

There have been a total of 13,234 cases for 20-29-year-olds and 10,095 cases among 5-9-year-olds since the border reopening.

The rate of spread among children and young people continue to increase.

About three per cent more women have contracted Covid than men, 51 per cent compared to 48 per cent respectively. The remaining 1 per cent remains unknown.

The Omicron strain, which is more virulent but less deadly, became widely prominent around the time of the border reopening.

Going back through the data, it shows a massive spike in cases immediately following the border reopening, followed by a lull late-January, before steadily rising since then.

Regional townships got off relatively lightly, with areas such as Flinders and Central Highlands seeing the lowest Covid infection rates.

Only 11 people have been reported Covid positive in Flinders, and Central Highlands only saw 30 cases.

All in all there have been a total of 57,753 positive cases, meaning one in ten Tasmanians have been infected by Covid-19 at some point.

This is lower than the national average, with about 15 per cent of the Australian population having been infected with Covid-19 so far.

The latest Public Health figures released on Saturday morning showed there were 9551 active cases in the state.

Public Health director Mark Veitch said this weekly report would be a tool to help keep the public informed on the historical and current trends.

“We were keen to develop a more detailed information resource that would give the public a more informed view and understanding of many aspects of the pandemic across the state,” Dr Veitch said.

“The weekly Surveillance Report enables the public to better understand the current risks posed by COVID-19, and the reasons for policy decisions.

“It also provides locally and personally relevant information that many people may find helpful to inform their own choices and actions during the pandemic.”

Prior to December 15 there were 238 recorded cases of Covid-19, as well as 13 deaths where Covid 19 was either a contributing factor or a direct cause.

Numbers as of Thursday, March 17

Highest infection rate per 1000 population

• Devonport (273)
• Burnie (183)
• Glenorchy (149)
• Hobart (129)
• Launceston (122)

Highest infection rates per age demographic

• 20-29 year olds
• 5-9 year olds
• 30-29 year olds
• 10-19 year olds
• 40-49 year olds

For a full breakdown visit coronavirus.tas.gov.au

*Stats to be updated Thursday, March 24

Plea for Tasmanians to get flu shot as active Covid cases soar

10:30am, Saturday

There’s been a drop in the number of new Covid cases reported in Tasmania.

The latest Public Health figures released on Saturday morning show there were 1479 new cases – a drop of 300 on Friday’s new cases.

The new cases take the total number of active cases to 9551.

There are 24 people in hospital with seven being treated specifically for Covid symptoms.

Two people are in intensive care.

Health authorities are urging Tasmanians to get their Covid boosters and to get flu vaccinations ahead of winter.

Plea to get flu shot

As new Covid cases surge, health authorities are pleading with Tasmanians to get an influenza vaccination before winter to save lives.

Premier Peter Gutwein said a case of influenza A was detected for the first time in Canberra in recent days with more cases likely.

“As restrictions have eased around our international borders, we need to prepare ourselves that we’ll have both Covid and flu active in our community over the coming winter period,” he said.

“We have had very little, if any, influenza in our community for the last two years. For children under the age of three, many of them have never have experienced flu before.”

Two children aged under 10 are in hospital being treated for Covid.

Covid at home will be expanded to provide monitoring and 24/7 care to high risk patients with respiratory illnesses.

Public Health director Dr Mark Veitch said statistics showed between 50 and 100 Tasmanians died from influenza each year

He said the “unfortunate death rate” was similar to other states and stressed the importance of a flu vaccination for people aged over 65, those with a medical condition, children, Aboriginal Tasmanians and pregnant women,

“For the last 100 years, as children have grown up they will almost all have had an experience of influenza infection in the first two or three years of life and many have actually had influenza a couple of times before they’re five.”

Dr Veitch said he could not predict the severity of the flu season.

Covid update

Health department secretary Kathrine Morgan Wicks said the key to the successful management of Covid had been “our high vaccination rates” and she was confident there were enough health staff to cope with any flu outbreak.

She said 315 staff were off work because they or a family member had Covid.

“This winter, we will be aiming to boost the number of people with a Covid booster vaccine, increase our child vaccination rates and achieve record flu vaccination rates particularly amongst vulnerable Tasmanians,” she said.

“Vaccination efforts will also be focused on household contacts of vulnerable Tasmanians and workers in critical industries such as food, agriculture, hospitality education, early childhood freight logistics and manufacturing and emergency management.

“As with the Covid vaccine, the flu vaccine isn’t just about protecting yourself but also helping to protect others.”

GPs and pharmacies will provide flu vaccines.

Ms Morgan-Wicks said a PCR test would determine if a person had Covid or the flu to determine appropriate treatment.