Tasmania records more than 1700 Covid cases

Tasmania has recorded another huge number of Covid cases on Friday after the Premier made a plea to the Prime Minsiter. LATEST FIGURES>>

Tasmania has recorded 1727 new cases of Covid-19 and another death, Premier Jeremy Rockliff says.

Figures released by the government on Friday showed the total number of active cases at 10,229 around the state.

More than 195,000 Tasmanians have recovered from Covid.

There were 133 people in hospital with Covid, 33 of whom were being treated primarily for the virus.

“Sadly, I can confirm a woman in her 90s has passed away in the State’s north,” Mr Rockliff said.

“I extend my sincere condolences to her family, friends, and loved ones.”

Mr Rockliff will visit the North-West Regional Hospital today.

The entire region escalated to level 3 of its Covid Management Plan on Thursday.

The escalation covers the North-West Regional Hospital, the Mersey Community Hospital, West Coast District Hospital and other district hospitals and community health centres across the region.

Mr Rockliff urged people to take precautions against the spread of the disease.

“With Covid still circulating in our community it’s important to continue following the Covid-safe behaviours - practice good hand hygiene, follow social distancing and I’d encourage you to wear a mask when you can’t, test when you have symptoms and stay home when you are unwell,” he said.

“And the most important thing you can continue to do to protect yourself, your family and the community is to roll up your sleeves and get vaccinated when you are due.

“If you haven’t already, make a booking with one of the many providers across the state and get your vaccination as soon as possible.”

‘Not the time’: Rockliff’s plea to Albo amid Covid wave - July 14

PREMIER Jeremy Rockliff says Tasmanians need to take personal responsibility as the state rides the latest wave of Covid-19.

There were 1844 additional cases reported statewide on Thursday — a three-month high.

There was 135 people in hospital with Covid, four in intensive care and another death taking the overall toll to 105.

Mr Rockliff did not specify if an increase in cases and hospitalisation said would eventually trigger a return to mask mandates and other measures.

“Tasmanians need to take personal responsibility,” he said.

“Masks are a personal choice but I would encourage it when you cannot socially distance.

“We are experiencing a wave like every other state and we are not out of the woods yet.”

Mr Rockliff said the Delta strain had caused more severe outcomes and while the omicron variant was more virulent, the outcomes were less severe.

He said he had written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with concerns about free Rapid Antigen Tests no longer being available for concession card holders and the end of pandemic leaves payments.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff during the Covid update at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

“It is not the right time to end these programs,” he said.

Tasmanians continue to be eligible for free RAT tests through a state government-sponsored program.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the coming weeks would see a surge in case numbers nationwide.

“It’s likely over coming weeks that some millions of Australians will catch Covid, some of them catching it again after perhaps having caught it earlier this year,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday defended the decision stick by the former government’s deadline for free RAT tests.

“We have added three months of health funding for the state and territory governments, almost $1 billion of additional funding, to make sure because the pandemic continues to have an impact.

“We’re, of course, out there as well, running an education campaign about making sure people, if they are eligible for a booster, they go out there and get it.

“We’ve made the fourth shot available to those over the age of 30.

“We are encouraging, along with state and territory governments, rules to be applied where common sense applies. If you can’t socially distance, then people should consider wearing a mask, it’s important and we will continue to engage through the states and territories.”

Soaring Covid cases pressure Tassie’s major hospitals – July 13

THE Royal Hobart Hospital has elevated its Covid response to the second-highest level as case numbers rise and staff absences hit daily operations in the state’s major hospitals.

Acting state Health Commander Dale Webster said the RHH, Launceston General and North-West Regional Hospitals were now all at level three of their Covid-19 Management Escalation

plans.

Another 1708 cases of the virus were reported in Tasmania on Wednesday, slightly fewer than the previous day. Two more people died of the illness in the state’s south.

Tasmania has the highest per capita infection rate in the nation over the last week, double that of NSW and Victoria.

Thirty-eight per cent of Tasmanians have been infected so far, most since December 15, the nation’s second-highest proportion.

Acting state health commander Dale Webster speaks to the media at Franklin Square in Hobart on Wednesday, July 13, 2022.

There are 106 Covid positive inpatients at Tasmanian public hospitals, 27 patients being treated specifically for Covid.

And 319 hospital staff across the state are furloughed from work due to them either being Covid-positive or being a close contact of a positive case.

There are 19 active outbreaks being in Tasmanian residential aged care facilities.

The state government has announced no fresh measures to combat the spread of the virus, instead recommending people consider wearing masks, keep their vaccinations up to date and avoid going to hospital.

“Planned elective surgery lists will be reviewed and a reduced number of elective surgeries will be performed as appropriate, depending on hospital demand,” Mr Webster said.

“The escalation will also potentially have an impact on outpatient services.

“If people have conditions that are not an emergency or do not require a hospital admission, they are encouraged to think about the right service for their needs and to reconsider attending the RHH Emergency Department at this time.

“During this time, we ask the public for their patience and understanding should they experience longer waiting times for lower acuity presentations.”

Labor’s Health spokeswoman Anita Dow said the state’s hospitals were being

“The government says they’re managing these outbreaks, but if this is managing these outbreaks, I’d hate to see what it looks like when we’re not managing.

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

“Right now in Tasmania we have significant staff shortages, cancellation of important services for Tasmanians and we have warns closed. It’s simply not good enough.”

“Our health system was in crisis before the government opened the borders on December 15. ‘This government said they had a plan, a plan to manage Covid across our community and across our health system. I’m not sure what that plan is any more.”

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the deteriorating situation in the state’s hospitals was alarming.

“Tasmania’s Covid situation is out of control each day now the state is recording close to 2000 reported cases, we’ve got hospitalisations increasing, and tragically deaths increasing as well,” she said.

“We now know that the Victorian Health Minister has ignored the advice of their chief health officer because business doesn’t want masks.

“It seems pretty clear to the greens that the Rockliff government is doing the same. It is prioritising the needs of some of noisy people in the business community including their donors from the Tasmanian Hospitality Association over the health of Tasmanians, it is

untenable, unsustainable and totally irresponsible.”

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