Almost a third of aged care homes have infected staff or residents

Twenty-three aged care homes that recorded positive Covid cases among staff and/or residents are in lockdown with no visitors allowed.

ALMOST a third of Tasmania’s 72 aged care homes have been impacted by Covid-19 and Labor MP Julie Collins says the data provides more evidence the State was unprepared for the arrival of the Omicron strain.

Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff said there were 23 aged care homes with positive cases among staff and/or residents.

The homes are also in lockdown with no visitors allowed.

“It is incredibly concerning that so many Tasmanian aged care facilities are facing outbreaks of COVID-19,” Ms Collins said.

She said the federal and Tasmanian governments needed to be far more transparent about the number of cases in the sector and how quickly booster vaccinations are being rolled out in aged care.

Labor member for Franklin Julie Collins.

“We know too many aged care residents and staff haven’t had the opportunity to receive a booster vaccination because of the Morrison Government’s slow rollout,” she said.

“This is an unacceptable failure. Canberra must urgently ensure that all Tasmanian aged care residents and staff have had the opportunity to receive booster vaccinations.

“This is just more evidence of how our state was not ready for COVID-19.”

Tasmania is not alone, however with The Age revealing on Sunday that nearly 500 aged care facilities in Australia had COVID-19 exposures, placing tens of thousands of elderly residents in lockdown.

And there are hundreds of aged care homes waiting to receive coronavirus vaccine booster shots.

Data shows that as of Friday, Barossa Park Lodge in Glenorchy had two staff members infected and there were six cases at Glenview Community Services in Glenorchy – two residents and four staff.

There are also six Covid-19 cases at Mary Ogilvie Home in New Town made up of five residents and one staff member, Regis Tasmania at Norwood has nine infected residents and six staff members infected with the virus.

At Sandown Apartments in Sandy Bay there are three cases, 14 at Snug Village, two at St Ann’s in Hobart and eight at Uniting AgeWell Aldersgate

Bungle sees Covid cases briefly released from quarantine

Thousands of Covid cases and close contacts have received texts from Public Health saying they are free to leave isolation, only to receive messages soon after apologising for the mistake.

One anonymous Tasmanian said her niece was confused to receive the text about 11.40am Tuesday telling her she had completed her seven days of isolation.

The recipient had in fact been in quarantine for less than a week and was still feeling ill from coronavirus.

The Mercury has obtained copies of the text messages, the first of which reads “you can now leave isolation and return to normal activities”.

“Please stay in isolation for another (three) days if you continue to have symptoms,” the text reads.

The anonymous Tasmanian said her niece received another text about 20 minutes later from Health correcting the erroneous message.

She said many of her friends received the same two texts.

“Please disregard the prior message for your release from quarantine,” the second text reads.

“Apologies it was due to technical issues.

“Public (Health) will send your release from isolation letter in the next few days.”

A Department of Health spokesman said some 2823 people received the texts on Tuesday.

He said these people were due to be released from isolation between January 12 and 17 when they were mistakenly sent a Release From Quarantine Letter.

“In our highly vaccinated community and with people practising Covid safe behaviours, it is expected that the risk to the public has been minimal, particularly given the very short time involved between messages as well as people being asked to remain in isolation if they are symptomatic,” the spokesman said.

“Systems are being refined to ensure the error does not re-occur.”

More Covid-19 information and updates at coronavirus.tas.gov.au

Covid enters prison system as state records over 1300 new cases

COVID-19 has entered Tasmania’s prison system with officers and inmates inside Risdon Prison infected.

News that two prisoners and 16 Risdon staff have tested positive has prompted calls for more offenders to be bailed and for older prisoners to be released early.

It comes as Tasmania records 1379 new cases to take the total number of recorded active Covid-19 infections in the State to 8356.

Over 1000 of the new infections were picked up through RAT tests with the rest through PCR testing.

Eighteen people are in hospital across the state with the virus but only seven have been admitted specifically for Covid. No one is in ICU.

Chair of the Prisoner Legal Service Greg Barns says the virus’ entry into Risdon will bring more lockdowns for inmates, no family nor professional visits and increased tension inside the prison.

“This is intolerable and the government must pass urgent legislation for early release.” Mr Barns said.

“More people need to be released on bail rather than being locked up in the current circumstances and older prisoners should get early release.

“Add in the fact that there are no jury trials being held in Tasmania until late March at the earliest and we have a ticking time bomb”

Greg Barns SC. Greg Barns SC and Independent Member for Clark Andrew Wilkie in relation to the British Court decision to allow the extradition of Julian Assange to the United States of America. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

A Tasmanian Prison Service spokesman said two prisoners and 16 staff within the Tasmanian Prison Service had tested positive for Covid-19 in recent days.

“Staff are isolating at home in line with Public Health requirements and affected prisoners are isolating within TPS facilities in line with the TPS’s Covid management plans,” he said.

“The TPS has put in place a number of measures to reduce the risk of Covid spreading within its facilities.

“These include the temporary cessation of in-person visits (to be replaced by telephone and Zoom visits for both personal and professional visits), and establishing dedicated isolation facilities within prisons to allow offenders who are either infected or close contacts to isolate as required.

Risdon Prison. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“In addition, the TPS is continuing a range of measures which have been in place to reduce the risk of Covid including increased cleaning, reminding prisoners and staff of Covid-safe behaviours and use of PPE as appropriate.

“The TPS recognises that ceasing visits is difficult for prisoners, detainees and their families, however it is a necessary step to keep everyone in the prison safe and will only be in place as long as is necessary.”

New framework allows some close contacts to return to work

Monday, January 10

Tasmania’s total active cases sit 7917 with the wave expected to last weeks, Premier Peter Gutwein says.

It comes as the state recorded 1218 new infections over the most recent 24-hour reporting period.

Eleven people have been hospitalised for treatment of coronavirus symptoms, while another six Covid-positive cases are in hospital for unrelated reasons.

The state’s active cases have reached 7917, with 724 people released from isolation in the 24 hour period ending 8pm Sunday.

Upwards of 800 new Covid cases have been diagnosed via RAT, compared with nearly 400 PCR tests.

“The key challenge we face is that we have a rapidly spreading virus, but one that in the main is presenting a far less severe illness than in previous (circumstances),” he said.

Mr Gutwein said many Covid-positive people worked in critical supply chain and essential service, including food-and-beverage industries and health.

He touted a new national framework to allow asymptomatic close contacts of a Covid case to return to work if their role is essential, though these people are required to wear PPE and isolate outside of their work requirements.

“We expect that these arrangements will commence from Thursday this week,” he said.

Mr Gutwein said applications would need to be made via WorkSafe Tasmania

Emergency services, energy and water, ports and food services were among such industries that could be included in the new framework

A total of 15,374 rapid antigen tests were handed out at state distribution centres on Sunday.

No one is in ICU and there are currently 7917 active cases across the state.

Mr Gutwein said existing government support was being built on, including mask access, testing and financial assistance to “make certain that (any) gaps are dealt with”.

Premier Peter Gutwein. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

He said more meetings this week would be held to extend the financial assistance, with an announcement due later this week about a King Island support package.

It comes as first jabs have began being rolled out on Monday for five-11-year-olds.

Mr Gutwein reminded Tasmanians the vaccine was encouraged, but not mandatory.

“I’m certain that we will get through this,” he said.

“Importantly if we all do the little things we’ll help each other to get through it.”

Public Health director Dr Mark Veitch suspected the vast majority, if not all Covid-positive tests in Tasmania, were Omicron.

“The experience around Australia is that 90 per cent or more of cases (...) were Omicron, and I expect that will be the case here,” he said.

The director said more testing regarding strains was being undertaken now that Covid testing clinics had time to “catch their breath”.

Premier Peter Gutwein will deliver a Covid-19 update at 3pm – Watch live below.

Tassie records 1406 new Covid cases, with 15 in hospital

Sunday, January 10

TASMANIA has recorded 1406 new Covid cases, a significant drop on the number reported on Saturday.

There are now a total of 7473 active cases in the state, with 15 people in hospital. However, just four are being treated specifically for Covid symptoms. None are in intensive care.

The positive results were returned from 3232 tests – 1176 fewer tests than were completed in the 24 hours to 8pm on Friday.

State distribution centres handed out 14,810 rapid antigen tests on Saturday, with 808 of the new and active cases coming from self-reported RATs.

An 11 additional positive cases have been recorded on King Island, bringing the total number of cases there to 92. RATs have arrived on the island and are being distributed today.

No Covid deaths have been reported since Tasmania reopened its borders on December 15, despite a massive surge in cases brought on by the highly infectious Omicron variant.

Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff said Tasmania was one of the most vaccinated jurisdictions in the world, which was the state’s “best protection” against Covid.

“The Omicron variant has rapidly changed the rules for everyone and we are being innovative and flexible in our responses,” he said.

“We understand that this is a stressful time for many people but Tasmanians have a record of working together and pitching in when it counts and the best way to get through this is by following the best health advice, get vaccinated and use your common sense.”