Tasmanians with any respiratory symptoms urged to get tested for coronavirus

Tasmania has confirmed just one new case of coronavirus in almost two weeks, but the state’s Public Health Director says more people need to be tested as we are in a “risky phase”. Here’s why >>

TASMANIA’S Public Health Director has expressed concern about the amount of testing needed in coming weeks to get a clear picture of the state’s coronavirus situation ahead of planned further easing of restrictions.

Dr Mark Veitch said it was encouraging that the state had confirmed just one new case of the virus in almost two weeks, but urged more Tasmanians to come forward to get tested.

“This isn’t over. We are in a risky phase,’’ he said.

“There’s still the potential for coronavirus to be introduced and circulate in the community.

“We know it’s circulating in a number of mainland states to greater and lesser extents so please, if you have any symptoms, don’t go back to normal and ignore them. Please go and get tested.”

Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

The first stage of the lifting of restrictions came into effect on Monday, allowing up to 10 people to congregate in public places, including restaurants and cafes.

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The second suite of easing of rules is scheduled for June 15, but that will only be done with the approval of Public Health.

In that time, Dr Veitch said he wanted to see between 500 and 1000 tests conducted each day in Tasmania of people with respiratory symptoms. More than 300 tests were conducted statewide on Wednesday.

“If we don’t maintain quite high testing levels between now and early June, we may lack enough information to be able to confidently say that we can progress forward to the second stage of relaxation of measures,’’ he said.

“We’re encouraging people now to reflect on whether they’ve had symptoms in the days before today, for example.

“If you’ve had a cough or a cold or a minor sniffle that you ignored a couple of days ago, think about it, could it have been coronavirus infection?”

Dr Veitch cautioned people against thinking they could simply return to life as it was before the rules were enforced.

“I would be very worried if people thought we were back to normal,’’ he said.

“Even though people want to feel liberated and want to feel like they’re back to normal, I think it’s very important that people use common sense, they understand the sacrifices they’ve made in getting to this point, and they don’t blow them by being too liberal with their movements and thinking that they’re back to normal.”

Mobile coronavirus testing clinics will be visiting George Town, Oatlands and Nubeena this weekend.

Dr Veitch said of the 226 confirmed cases recorded in Tasmania, 14 were considered active, three of which were being managed in hospital. Thirty-six close contacts of confirmed cases remain in quarantine.