Plea to consider “virtual” hospital visits as virus bears down

Families and friends of patients in Tasmanian hospitals are being asked to consider “virtual” visits to stop Covid spreading through the state’s health system. LATEST STATS + COVID-19 Q&A >>

Families and friends of patients in Tasmanian hospitals are being urged to consider “virtual” visits to prevent carrying Covid into the state’s health system.

Visitors are being asked by health authorities to keep in contact with their sick loved ones remotely via a phone or video call and to avoid a physical visit where possible.

All Tasmanian hospitals are currently operating at level three of their Covid management plans, as a growing wave of cases places pressure on the system.

Acting state health commander Dale Webster on Sunday said hospitals have made changes to their visitor policies, limiting the number and time of visits unless there were compassionate grounds.

“It will help the hospitals in dealing with Covid if the number of visitors in the hospital is reduced even further by people considering virtual visits,” he said.

At the Royal Hobart Hospital and Launceston General Hospital, visits are limited to one visitor per patient at any given time, between the hours of 2pm and 6pm, for a maximum of 30 minutes.

Acting state health commander Dale Webster.

At North West Regional Hospital, the limit is one visitor per patient per day for a maximum of 60 minutes between 2.30pm and 6pm.

The same applies for the Mersey Community Hospital but between 2pm and 6pm.

However, Mr Webster said if people must visit in person, face masks must be worn.

“Exemptions beyond these visiting restrictions, including for compassionate reasons, are at the discretion of the nurse in charge of the ward,” he said.

Mr Webster also reminded Tasmanians that they are still legally obligated to notify the Department of Health if they test positive to Covid on a RAT by filling out the online declaration form, even though the public health emergency declaration has ended.

They also remain legally obligated to head straight home and not stop anywhere on the way, if they find out they have tested positive while out and about.

“(These are legal requirements) of orders issued under … the Public Health Act,” Mr Webster said.

The Royal Hobart Hospital and the Hedberg Building. Picture: Eddie Safarik

“These orders replicate the legal requirements of cases and contacts that were in place during the public health emergency declaration.”

It comes as Tasmania recorded 1410 new Covid cases and another death, a woman in her 70s from the state’s north, on Sunday.

The state’s death toll from Covid is now 109.

There was a slight dip in the number of new cases, with Tasmania recording 1816, 1729 and 1648 on Thursday, Friday and Saturdayrespectively.

Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the number of active cases stood at 10,411, with 36 people in hospital beingtreated specifically for Covid.

Q&A with Dale Webster

With Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff warning that the wave of Covid cases would continue to rise until the end of September, the Mercury has put together a Q&A of what you need to know if you test positive to Covid.

What happens if I test positive to a RAT when I’m out and about?

If you’re not at home or at your accommodation (if you’re an interstate traveller) when you find out you have tested positive, you must go straight there and not stop anywhere on the way. This is a legal requirement.

What happens if I test positive on a RAT?

If you have tested positive using a RAT, you must notify the Department of Health of the result through the online declaration form or by phoning the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738. This is also a legal requirement.

Who else do I need to inform if I test positive?

You should inform both close contacts and social contacts. If you need care to safely manage your symptoms, you can contact your usual GP or health care provider or contact the covid@homeplus team on 1800 973 363.

What happens if I’m an interstate traveller and test positive in Tasmania?

If you don’t want to continue staying at and paying for your accommodation, you can stay in a government-managed accommodation facility depending on your circumstances and health needs.

What are the symptoms of Covid?

Common symptoms of Covid are fever (including chills or night sweats), runny nose, cough, sore or itchy throat, shortness of breath, and loss of taste or smell. However, Covid can also present with other symptoms that can occur on their own or combined with the other symptoms, such as headaches, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and fatigue.

When can I stop isolating?

You can be stop isolating seven days after you test positive, provided your respiratory symptoms have either gone or are much better, and you have not had a fever for at least 24 hours.

Can I get my second booster?

Tasmanians aged 30 and over are now eligible for their second booster and can get one at a state-run vaccination clinic, at a GP or at a pharmacy. The older you are the more important it is that you get your booster doses. So far, 85,604 Tasmanians have had their second booster (fourth dose) and 320,085 people have had their first booster (third dose).

Can I get antiviral treatments?

Tasmanians aged 70 and over and younger Tasmanians with significant medical conditions, who test positive, are eligible for antiviral treatments, which reduce the risk of Covid complications. Treatments are most effective when started as soon as possible.