“Rapid Response Team” formed after North West outbreak

A medical strikeforce has been formed to pounce on any further coronavirus breakouts before they can spread.

A MEDICAL strike force has been formed to pounce on any further coronavirus outbreaks before they can spread.

The state’s new multidisciplinary “Rapid Response Team” has been formed in response to the recent cluster in the North West, and comes as a health worker from the Launceston General Hospital tested positive for the virus.

The Australian Medical Assistance Team was called in to help restart emergency services after staff at two hospitals in the North West were sidelined by last month’s outbreak.

Premier Peter Gutwein said increasing the ability of the state’s own health service to respond quickly was a key part of the state’s evolving response to the pandemic.

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“As one of the four safeguards — increased testing, better tracing, rapid response capability and COVID-Safety plans — that we are putting in place in order to begin easing restrictions, it is critical Tasmania has the health and emergency system capacity to rapidly respond in the event of a further outbreak,” he said.

“The rapid response capability will be supported by a core group of 15 staff in Public Health, Tasmania Police, Department of Health and other agencies.

“An inter-agency staffing capacity will also be established across the state service, where appropriately trained officers are effectively on standby, enabling rapid call-up should an outbreak response be required.

“It is likely that these arrangements will be in place for the next 12 to 18 months.”