Premier announces massive overhaul to tests, contacts and boosters
Tasmanians will undergo a swift overhaul of testing proceedures, contact classification and booster vaccine delivery in the coming days. LATEST COVID UPDATES >>
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Tasmanians will undergo a swift overhaul of testing proceedures, contact classification and booster vaccine delivery in the coming days.
According to Premier Peter Gutwein, from January 1 PCR testing will prioritise those who are symptomatic or have a positive Rapid Antigen Test (RAT).
“There is no doubt in Tasmania there is a significant demand on testing. It is occurring right around the country,” Mr Gutwein said.
“It is important we prioritise our PCR tests for those who are symptomatic and those who have taken a rapid antigen test.”
“I want to stress – please do not just turn up to these sites.”
“The vast majority of cases have very mild symptoms.”
“We’re seeing that Omicron is significantly milder than other strains – about 70 per cent milder.”
The move will involve the Public Health making RAT tests freely available for those eligible under the new rules.
The announcement followed a snap national cabinet meeting called for Thursday which was targeted at standardising Covid-19 management.
From 12.01 on January 1, travellers will no longer require a PCR from high-risk areas, but will require rapid antigen tests.
“On arrival in Tasmania, you’ll also be provided with a rapid antigen test on arrival.” Mr Gutwein said.
“Tasmanians who are travelling for short trips up to 7 days, and return within that period, will need to take a rapid antigen test provided at the airport upon arrival”
Tasmania has recorded 92 new Covid-19 cases according to Department of Health Facebook page data for the 24 hours to 8pm Wednesday.
The state’s total of active cases is now 386.
Three of the cases are hospital inpatients, with one admitted for an unrelated medical condition.
None of the cases are in intensive care.
Tasmania Police said on Thursday morning traffic had been clogging up roads near the Hobart Showgrounds.
“Glenorchy motorists are advised that traffic congestion is occurring (...) around the Hobart Showgrounds, emanating from the Covid testing clinic site,” Tasmania Police said.
“Motorists are asked to avoid the area or please be patient and anticipate delays.”
Public Health have conducted 2,474 tests in the same 24 hour reporting period.
For the latest coronavirus and exposure site information visit coronavirus.tas.gov.au
In regards to the case of an aged care worker who tested positive to Covid-19 at Hobart’s St Anne’s facility on Thursday, Mr Gutwein said all testing of staff and residents have so far returned a negative result.
“Where a significant transmission event has occurred, they may be deemed a close contact” but determined by Public Health on a case-by-case basis,” he said.
“There will be that flexibility moving forward.”
For the latest coronavirus and exposure site information visit coronavirus.tas.gov.au
Make rapid antigen tests free, says union - December 29.
There are calls for rapid antigen tests to be made free, with concerns they could be too expensive for some Tasmanians, including casual workers.
Unions Tasmania secretary Jessica Munday said the tests were not accessible to low income Tasmanians.
“For those who are on lower incomes, passing on test costs that are $15-$30 is not affordable,” Ms Munday said.
“We support them being free for everyone.
“We think that should have been a big part of the government’s plan.”
Ms Munday said the government should have learned from outbreaks early in the coronavirus pandemic, which resulted from symptomatic casual workers choosing to go to work.
“We have more casual workers employed here than anywhere in the country,” she said.
“We need to not forget insecure work was a contributing factor to early outbreaks.
“To give workers a level of comfort of how they should proceed, rat tests just makes sense.
“Casual workers are lower paid, they don’t have $30 to spend on tests.”
In a media release issued on Wednesday afternoon, Premier Peter Gutwein said RAT tests would be discussed at national cabinet.
“Tomorrow, national cabinet will meet to discuss a number of important matters including the definition of close contacts and testing regimes and supply,” Mr Gutwein said.
“In addition, work is also being finalised on Tasmania’s vaccination rollout for 5-11 year olds and our booster program rollout.
“I expect to be able to provide an update on these matters to Tasmanians post tomorrow’s (Thursday) national cabinet meeting.”
Meanwhile Labor has criticised the government, saying there’s a lack of clear information flowing, as case numbers continue to rise.
“It’s crucial during this time of uncertainty and change when the spread of Covid is rapidly escalating in the community that Tasmanians are given timely and accurate information,” shadow health Minister Anita Dow said.
“There is understandably a high level of concern and anxiety in the community now that case numbers have reached 300, and the Premier needs to be giving clear and consistent information about how he plans to protect Tasmanians now he has opened the borders.”
The concerns were echoed by the Greens, with New Year’s Eve celebrations expected to draw a crowd this week.
“Vitally, the strong public health messages aren’t being relayed anymore,” Greens Leader Cassy O’Connor said.
“There’s been nothing from the Premier or health bureaucrats on minimising the risks of the New Year’s Eve super spreader events.”
Mr Gutwein encouraged Tasmanians to use common sense and follow the guidelines.
“We know that while the Omicron variety is more transmissible, several studies have already indicated that Omicron is expected to be at least 50 per cent less severe than Delta.”
EXPOSURE SITES EXPLAINED
Those who have been to exposure sites, places that were visited by people with Covid while they were infectious, are urged to check the dates and times on the exposure list carefully.
For those who have been to exposure sites within the dates and time frames on the Government’s website, there are different actions that should be taken depending on whether the site is classed as low risk, casual contact or close contact.
Classifications may be reviewed.
Low risk: Those who have been to a low risk exposure site do not need to quarantine. All that’s needed is to monitor symptoms and get tested if symptoms develops.
Casual contact: Those who have been to casual contact exposure sites need to book a Covid test 3-5 days after they visited the exposed premise.
In addition that, they need to monitor symptoms 14 days after the exposure and get tested if symptoms develop, even if they’re mild.
They must also wear a face mask for the 14 days following exposure when they physically cannot social distance outside their home.
Vaccinated close contact: Those who have been to close contact exposure sites who are vaccinated will need to quarantine for seven days from the exposure period.
They’ll also need to get tested immediately, again on day 5-6 and again on day 12-13.
Those who test negative on day their day 5-6 test will be able to leave quarantine after seven days.
Unvaccinated close contact: Those who have been to a close contact exposure site who are not vaccinated will need to quarantine for 14 days from exposure.
They’ll also need to get tested immediately, and again on day 12-13.
Those who return a negative result on their day 12-13 test can leave quarantine after 14 days.
Businesses and venues: According to Public Health guidelines, businesses are should be able to be able to continue operating if there is a positive case, or casual or close contact confirmed at the premises and are expected to enact their Covid safety plans.
The business should undertake cleaning and disinfecting to reduce the risk.
staff, customers and clients will need to follow guidelines depending on the exposure site.
Aged care worker tests positive, Tassie Covid cases hit 300 - December 29
A Hobart aged care facility is in lockdown after an aged care worker tested positive to Covid-19.
The employee worked at St Anns aged care facility on Christmas Day and was tested for Covid on December 27, receiving a positive result the next day.
Enhanced infection prevention and control measures have been implemented
“Residents and workers are being tested as a priority and contact tracing is continuing,” Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said.
“Aged care facilities have been preparing for COVID-19 cases and have systems in place to manage situations such as this in collaboration with other agencies.”
The operator St Anns has advised staff wear masks during their shifts.
The family members of residents have been informed.
Anyone who was St Anns on Davey St, Hobart between 7am and 2pm on Christmas is urged to get tested if they develop symptoms.
Tasmania’s total Covid-19 case count hits 300 – December 29
There were 55 new Covid cases confirmed in Tasmania in the 24 hours until 8pm on Tuesday, adding up to 300 active cases.
63 cases are being managed at a community care facility, an increase of three from figures released on Tuesday.
158 people are managing their condition via the COVID@home program.
One person with Covid remains in hospital due to what the health department has said is an alternative medical condition.
The Hanging Garden is among the list of exposure sites for a close contact, with the exposure period between 2:28pm and 6:30pm on the 22nd of December.
Party in the Apocalypse at Launceston’s Inveresk Park was listed as a low risk exposure site between 5:30pm and 10:30pm on Monday.
The full list of exposure sites can be found on the coronavirus.tas website.
Covid exposure site list grows as more cases detected – December 28
PUBLIC Covid-19 alerts are now out for 260 exposure sites across Tasmania, as the state’s tally of active cases rises again.
There were 43 new cases recorded in the 24 hours to 8pm on Monday, bringing the state’s total number of active cases to 243.
All except 61 of the current cases are being managed under the Covid@home protocol.
One person remains in hospital with other health complications and 60 are being treated in a community case management facility.
There are now more active cases in Tasmania than the state experienced for the entire pandemic, until December 15 when state borders reopened.
The exposure sites are listed within specified times, with those who were there given advice to monitor for symptoms, be tested or quarantine depending on circumstances.
They range from flights and a Spirit of Tasmania sailing, to cafes and a nail salon, with more than half of Tasmania’s current exposure sites are in the state’s south.
Pablo’s Cocktails and Dreams, in Harrington St, Hobart, has been listed as an exposure site on December 22 and also December 23-24.
Sisterhood Cafe, in Sandy Bay, has also been listed as a close contact exposure site on December 23, as has Priceline Kingston on December 22-24.
Meanwhile, anyone who attended Zap Fitness in Moonah on Christmas Day between 3pm and 5pm are now considered close contacts.
Passengers on a range of Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin flights have also been warned of possible exposure.
It comes as questions over the government’s ability to cope with the escalating local situation continue.
Acting Labor leader Anita Dow said that the government had failed to adequately equip the state’s contact-tracing capability.
“Tasmanians needed to know if the Covid public health hotline and the Covid@home program could cope with the climbing number of cases and exposure sites in Tasmania,” she said.
Ms Dow said Tasmanians had repeatedly heard claims from Premier Peter Gutwein and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff that the state was prepared for Covid-19.
“But it’s time now to actually provide forensic details of the numbers of staff available to Tasmanians and the capability of the programs the government has established,” Ms Dow said.
On Monday, Mr Gutwein said Tasmanians could be given more responsibility in contact tracing to slow the spread of Covid-19.
He said national advice was being worked on for whether low-risk or casual exposure sites should be listed.
Meanwhile, Public Health Director Mark Veitch said for now, everyone would be contacted by public health, but the priority settings would be conducted first.
The state government is considering if rapid antigen tests could be used when visitors arrive in Tasmania.
Ms Dow said Tasmanians had repeatedly heard claims from both Premier Peter Gutwein and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff that the state was prepared for Covid.
“But it’s time now to actually provide forensic details of the numbers of staff available to Tasmanians and the capability of the programs the government has established,” she said.
“How many people are staffing the public health hotline?
“Will it be staffed 24/7 and on public holidays and weekends?
“How many health professionals are staffing the Covid@home program? Is immediate help available and, if not, what is the average wait time to get that help?”
Meanwhile, all close contacts of a Covid-positive worker at the Royal Hobart Hospital have returned negative tests, the health department says.
It comes after it was announced on Thursday the worker had tested positive.
Hospitals south acting chief executive Stephen Ayre and chief medical officer Tony Lawler said in a joint statement the close contacts who were required to be tested included patients and staff.
“All affected areas have returned to normal patient flow conditions and staff are operating under business-as-usual protocols, with the additional Covid-safe precautions remaining in place,’’ the statement read.
An incident management team established to respond to the Covid-19 case has closed the incident and stood down.
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