Tasmania fast approaching zero active coronavirus cases

Health authorities have given no indication if more COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted early, despite calls from the business community and only having two active cases in the state. Find out when further roll backs are due >>

TASMANIA is fast approaching zero active coronavirus cases, after more than three weeks with no positive diagnoses.

The state’s last positive diagnosis of coronavirus was a man in his 70s on May 15.

Since then, several active cases have recovered, leaving the state with only two, both in the North-West.

More than 35,000 tests have been conducted and 211 infected people have recovered. The virus has also claimed 13 lives.

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New Zealand this week celebrated a milestone as the country’s last COVID-19-active patient recovered.

Kiwis announced they would lift all restrictions, with the exception of international border closures, after it was declared virus-free.

However, Tasmanian authorities have given no indication of a similar move if the same result is achieved here.

Under the State Government’s recovery road map, further easing of restrictions won’t occur until July 13.

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Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the Government would be relying on Public Health advice.

“The Government have demonstrated a degree of pragmatism in terms of the easing of restrictions,” Mr Rockliff said.

“We’ve been very consistent in taking Public Health advice throughout the pandemic. We’ll continue to do that, and if Public Health advises us that restrictions can be eased sooner, of course the Government will be absolutely open to that, because we recognise that the sooner we can return to normal the better it is for our economy.”

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Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch said as restrictions eased, it would be important to continue to have safeguards and response mechanisms in place to mitigate any risk, even after there were zero active cases.

“As a state, we need to remain vigilant and we will continue to assess the situation in consultation with other states and the Australian Government,” Dr Veitch said.

“We may well get to a point where coronavirus is eliminated in Tasmania, but the fact is that globally, this disease is still spreading rapidly, and nationally there are still cases and new infections.

“As we resume activities where people mix closely, we create an environment where viruses can be transmitted very rapidly just like flu spreads every year. For context, in most years about 50,000 Tasmanians will catch the flu.

“It is important that in the meantime we maintain the legal and public health framework to rapidly respond to any recurrence or outbreak of coronavirus if required.”