Twelve new Covid cases confirmed for Tasmania

The Premier has admitted frustration at the lack of restrictions in NSW and has not ruled out reinstating border restrictions with the state as cases explode. LATEST + HAVE YOUR SAY >>

PREMIER Peter Gutwein has admitted frustration at the lack of Covid-19 restrictions in NSW and has not ruled out reinstating border restrictions with the mainland state as case numbers there explode.

NSW recorded 3763 new cases on Wednesday, but its government has not introduced measures such as a mandate on mask-wearing in indoor venues.

In comparison, Tasmania has brought in a mandate for masks indoors while Covid case numbers with still in single figures.

Tasmania recorded 12 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number of active cases in the state to 26.

Four cases are being community case managed and 18 are using Covid @ Home.

The Department of Health said four active cases were still being assessed by Public Health or processed for care.

Premier Peter Gutwein said the detection of more cases of Covid-19 in Tasmania was what authorities had been expecting.

“I know that for some Tasmanians, that this may concern them, but I want to once again say that this is exactly what we understood would occur,” Mr Gutwein said.

“We have strong systems in place, we’re continuing to manage them and importantly, as we move forward and we see cases continue to increase, we will continue to do exactly as we have outlined.”

Mr Gutwein was asked whether he would rule out again closing Tasmanian borders to NSW, and he said he would continue to act on the advice of public health officials.

He said a sense of frustration among the Tasmanian community about having to wear masks while those in NSW did not was understandable.

KIWI'S ARRIVE

“I can certainly understand it. I’m a little frustrated by it as well,” Mr Gutwein said.

Public Health director Dr Mark Veitch detailed more information about the 12 people identified as Covid-positive in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday.

“Of the 12 cases, eight were men aged from their 20s to their 50s,” he said.

“Four cases were women, aged from their 20s to their 30s.”

Dr Veitch said six of the cases came into the state from NSW, with one of those travelling from overseas.

“Three cases arrived from Victoria, including one case transiting from overseas,” he said.

“One case arrived from Queensland, one case is a close contact of a previously confirmed case and one case’s source of infection is still being investigated.”

Seven cases arrived in Launceston between Friday and Tuesday, while three landed in Hobart between last Wednesday to Sunday.

One case is in southern Tasmania and another is in the North-West.

Speaking after national cabinet on Wednesday, Mr Gutwein said state and territory leaders were waiting on advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation about whether the required interval before a booster shot would be reduced from five months to four.

“Regardless of what the advice is, we will ensure that the necessary resources are in place to ensure that we can roll out the booster program as quickly as we can,” he said.

“I would say to Tasmanians, when you’re due, please ensure that you book in and get that booster shot.

“It will be important to ensure that you have the highest level of vaccination that you can.”

Public Health is continuing to trace all cases in the state.

Statistics relating to Covid-19 cases are extracted from data available from 24 hours to 8pm on the previous day.

A staggering 3897 Covid tests were recorded in the 24 hours from 10am on Tuesday, according to statistics from the Department of Health Tasmania Facebook page.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Mr Gutwein said measures in Tasmania, such as contact tracing, mask wearing and caps on the number of people in venues, were designed to keep people safe.

The Premier suggested NSW should bring in tighter restrictions in response to rising case numbers in that state.

“I would note that NSW seems to be the one outlier in all of this,” Mr Gutwein said.

“I have encouraged their Premier (Dominic Perrottet) to consider what he might do in that space.

“I don’t think that it’s appropriate that no contact tracing, other than high-risk areas, occurs and that they haven’t as yet mandated masks.

“We know with the growing case count over there, that one way that they can limit the spread is to ensure they put those social measures back in place.

“I would encourage NSW very firmly to do that.”

Information, including exposure sites, is available at www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au

Hundreds forced to isolate after Covid case detected on flight - December 21

300 people have been forced to isolate after two people were diagnosed with Covid following a flight from Sydney to Launceston last Wednesday.

The health advice comes after Tasmania recorded four new cases today - two women and two men aged in their 20s to 40s.

Flight VA1086 had already been listed as an exposure site by Public Health last week for those seated in a certain number of rows following a positive case recorded earlier.

All passengeres on flight VA1086 from Sydney to Launceston is being urged to isolate and get tested. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

But after two more cases were recorded yesterday, Dr Mark Veitch said all passengers onboard would have to get tested and isolate until tomorrow.

“The flight has been reclassifed as a close contact site which will require everyone on that flight to have a further Covid test which at this stage will be about six days since their exposure to the site.

“That means the additional close contacts on that flight will bump that up to around 300 by the end of today.”

Premier Peter Gutwein insited that the border reopening plan is going smoothly, despite 14 positive Covid cases being brought into the state since Wednesday.

There are at total of 14 active cases in the state - 11 quarantining at home, two in community care facilities, and one with only mild symptoms.

However, Mr Gutwein said this was not unexpected, and that the medical system was coping with the additional caseloads.

“The system is working. It’s part of the plan. We always said Covid would arrive, but that we would have systems in place to manage it,” Mr Gutwein said.

“Importantly, I note that while some people would rather us stand still, it’s important that we keep moving, and that’s what we will do.”

Mr Gutwein said they would put more resources towards Covid test centres and hotline services amid a high volume of calls and tests.

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Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said the Covid spread was expected to worsen in the coming weeks, which is why people needed to be extra cognizant of the Covid guidelines.

“If you need your first, second dose, or a booster, there are plenty of appointments so please book in,” Ms Morgan-Wicks said.

“We’re heading into the biggest travel week of the year for pre-christmas travel… the important message is if you have symptoms, you need to get tested.

“We’re assuming this surge is going to continue throughout the next fortnight period, and we’re preparing for that.”

Testing, quarantine and isolation plan

If you are a positive Covid case:

• You must isolate for a minimum of 10 days and potentially longer based on symptoms
• No further testing requirements. Can leave after meeting the criteria for release from isolation
• Isolate in a suitable premises. If people are in the same house they become close contacts.
• People with prolonged symptoms may need to isolate for longer periods of time.

If you are an unvaccinated close contact of a positive Covid case

• Quarantine for 14 days
• Minimum 3 tests: Tested immediately, tested on day 5-6, tested on day 12-13, Can leave after 14 days and negative test
• Unvaccinated people in the same household to follow the same quarantine requirements. Vaccinated people in the household avoid high risk settings for 14 days and may be required to wear a face mask

If you are a vaccinated close contact of a positive Covid case

• Quarantine for 7 days
• Minimum 3 tests: Tested immediately, tested on day 5-6, tested on day 12-13, Can leave after 7 days and negative test
• Unvaccinated people in the same household to follow the same quarantine requirements.

If you are a casual contact

• No quarantine/isolation requirements
• Minimum 1 test: Tested on day 3-5; test if symptoms develop
• No household isolation / quarantine requirements
• Wear a mask when unable to physically distance for 14 days from exposure

If you are a low-risk exposure

• No quarantine/isolation requirements
• No testing requirements but test if symptoms develop
• No household isolation / quarantine requirements
• Businesses and venues
• Businesses are largely expected to be able to continue to operate if there is a positive case, or casual or close contacts identified on their premises, with their Covid-safety plans in place.
• They will be expected to undertake cleaning and disinfecting to reduce any residual risk.
• Staff, customers and clients will need to follow the isolation and quarantine guidelines.

State records three new Covid cases on Monday

The state has recorded ten active cases since borders opened on Wednesday.

Nine of these cases are isolating at home, while one is in a community case management facility, the Department of Health has said in a Facebook statement.

None of these cases have been hospitalised, transferred to ICU, or resulted in death.

It comes as 90.32 per cent of Tasmanians above the age of 12 have been double-vaccinated and 95.8 per cent have received their first dose.

For the latest statistics, exposure sites and Covid-19 updates visit coronavirus.tas.gov.au

More information has been released on the three new Covid cases who were identified on Sunday.

Public Health director Dr Mark Veitch has said three men tested positive in the 24 hours before 8pm on Sunday.

One case was a man in his 30s who flew in via Melbourne on Wednesday.

The other two men flew in on Friday - one being a 40-year-old who flew via Melbourne, the other a 20-year-old who travelled from Sydney.

“Public Health Services have conducted contact tracing for all three cases,” Dr Veitch said.

“Check-in Tas data has been used to notify anyone who had checked in at any of the exposure sites related to these cases.”

Dr Veitch reminded Tasmanians to get tested if symptoms, however mild, occurred.

For the latest exposure sites and information visit coronavirus.tas.gov.au

Charity store a new exposure site

A charity-run shop is the latest addition to Tasmania’s growing list of Covid exposure sites.

Public Health director Dr Mark Veitch said the Hobart City Mission outlet on Main Rd Moonah was exposed to a positive coronavirus case on Friday.

“Anyone who was at this location between 11am and 1pm on Friday is considered to be a casual contact,” he said.

“These people must get tested three to five days after the potential exposure and wear a mask when not at home and monitor themselves for symptoms for 14 days.”

Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch. Picture: Chris Kidd

Dr Veitch said the site was also classified as a low-risk zone between 8.30-11am and 1-4.30pm Friday.

He said anyone at the store during these periods would not need a Covid test three to five days after the potential exposure, but would need to monitor themselves for symptoms for 14 days.

“If any symptoms develop, even if they are mild, they must get tested,” Dr Veitch said.

The site does not remain a risk site beyond Friday, with people welcome to enter the store as usual.

Latest Covid-19 updates coronavirus.tas.gov.au