Tasmania records seventh Covid-19 death in space of three days, bringing total toll to 41

Another Tasmanian has died from Covid, the eighth person to succumb to the virus in a week as we learn how inmates with the virus are passing the time.

Another Tasmanian has died from Covid, the eighth person to succumb to the virus in the state in the space of a week.

On Friday, the state government announced a woman in her 80s passed away in a nursing home in southern Tasmania.

The state’s Covid toll, since the pandemic hit Tasmania in early 2020, now sits at 42.

There has also been a jump in the number of people in hospital being treated for Covid - 55 - a jump from 50 on Thursday.

Of those currently hospitalised, 26 are being treated specifically for Covid, with one person in intensive care.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said Tasmania had recorded 1489 new cases overnight, with 1751 recovered and released from isolation in the same period.

The total number of active Covid cases in Tasmania currently sits at 10,474, with more than 100,000 people in the state previously infected and recovered.

How prisoners in Covid iso are passing time

Three more prisons were placed into lockdown after an outbreak across the Tasmanian Prison Service, with 55 inmates in total testing positive as of 1pm on Thursday.

On Tuesday it was confirmed 50 inmates across the Tasmanian Prison Service had tested positive within 48 hours of the outbreak.

That included 48 cases in the Ron Barwick facility, one at the Risdon Prison Complex and one at the Mary Hutchinson women’s prison

Since then, five more tested positive, resulting in the Hobart Reception Prison, Launceston Reception Prison and Risdon Prison Complex Medium Precinct being placed into lockdown while rapid tests were conducted.

“A second prisoner at Hobart Reception Prison tested positive on 14 April,” a Department of Justice spokesperson said.

“A third prisoner who was transferred to Launceston Reception Prison from the Risdon Prison Complex Medium Precinct (Rowallan) on 13 April tested positive on 14 April.”

It’s also been revealed 17 staff members have tested positive and are in isolation.

Remaining staff have been directed to only work in their primary facility.

During isolation inmates have limited access to the outdoors and are, for the most part, confined to singles cells to limit their movements and interactions and control the spread.

“During the period of isolation many prisoners will have limited access to an outdoor area when they come out of their cell to shower and make phone calls,” the spokesperson said.

“Prisoners are isolating in their normal divisional units.

Most prisoners are in single cells, with some in twin cells designed for sharing with another prisoner.”

To keep boredom at bay, every inmate impacted by Covid isolation is offered an activity pack, which contain a range of items to keep them entertained.

Risdon Prison. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“Each activity pack is, to some degree, tailored to the individual interests of the prisoner and forms have been provided to fill out enabling them to elect to receive certain items that are of personal interest to them,” the spokesperson said.

“There is a range of items including things like writing and drawing supplies, jigsaw puzzles, crosswords and other puzzles, and in cell exercise activities, among other things.

“The Tasmania Prison Service understands the impact of prisoners being locked down necessarily due to Covid-19 and is providing increased activities to help them feel engaged and to pass time during the period of isolation.”

Positive cases are required to isolate for seven days.

If they have symptoms on day seven, they’re required to isolate for an extra three days.

Tasmania records seven Covid deaths in just three days

Tasmania has recorded its seventh Covid-19 death in the space of just three days, with two people losing their lives to the virus overnight Wednesday.

It brings the state’s death toll since the beginning of the pandemic to 41.

Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff confirmed on Thursday morning that a woman in her 60s had died at the Royal Hobart Hospital, while a woman in her 80s died in a residential aged care facility.

“I extend my sincere condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the two women who have sadly passed away,” Mr Rockliff said.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The state recorded 1843 new Covid cases on Thursday, after 1839 were detected on the previous day. There are currently 10,765 active cases across Tasmania.

Fifty people are being treated for the virus in hospital. Of these patients, 22 are being treated specifically for Covid, with one person in the ICU.

Mr Rockliff reminded Tasmanians that people most at risk from Covid were now eligible to receive a second booster shot.

“This includes those 65 years and over, residents of aged care and disability facilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 50 and over, and people who are severely immunocompromised,” he said.

“Those eligible can also get their flu shot at the same time, so I strongly recommend booking in for both doses with your GP or pharmacy at the earliest opportunity.”

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