Two Tasmanian men have died from Covid – toll now 108

Tasmania’s premier has updated the public on the current Covid-19 wave after an emergency national cabinet meeting earlier today. LATEST NUMBERS >>

Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff has welcomed the commonwealth’s decision to reinstate the pandemic leave disaster payment but warned the current wave of Covid cases will continue until the end of September putting hospitals under pressure.

Mr Rockliff said the next two to four weeks would be challenging for health systems in the state.

He said Saturday’s National Cabinet meeting had reinforced recent messaging from the Australian Health Protection Principle Committee that masks were “strongly recommended when indoors or where you are not able to socially distance, however mask-wearing is a personal responsibility and will not be mandated”.

“I welcome the Commonwealth Government’s announcement to reinstate the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment until September 30,” Mr Rockliff said.

“States and territories have agreed to share the costs of the payment 50:50 so that Tasmanians can get the financial support they need when they are unable to work due to having Covid, or being impacted by someone who has.”

The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment will be available from this Wednesday through Services Australia.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff during the Covid update at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

It provides support for people who are unable to earn an income because they have to self-isolate or quarantine due to Covid, or care for someone who has to self-isolate or quarantine.

Mr Rockliff said eligibility for the payment would be backdated to July 1 2022, “to ensure that anyone unable to work owing to isolation requirements in this period and does not have access to paid sick leave is supported”.

He said the National Health Emergency Crisis Payment would also be reinstated until 30 September 2022, with eligibility also to be backdated to 1 July 2022.

“This will ensure people affected by Covid isolation requirements who receive an income support payment or ABSTUDY Living Allowance, and who are in severe financial hardship, continue to receive support through the winter period,” Mr Rockliff said.

“Along with the other states and territories, the Tasmanian Government has agreed to increase our stocks of Rapid Antigen Tests and make them more accessible across the State via Service Tasmania.

“Importantly, RATs continue to be available for free for Tasmanians who have symptoms or are a close contact and can be collected from State Government distribution centres, or delivered to people who live in regional and rural areas of the State.”

Mr Rockliff said Tasmania put forward an “innovative initiative” for the potential distribution of antivirals with GPs assisting with automating pharmacy scripts for patients most likely to use them.

“This will enable those most vulnerable to Covid to quickly access medical treatments and help ease the burden on our hospitals here in Tasmania,” he said.

Another two people have died with Covid and 35 people are currently in hospital being treated for the virus in the last reporting period.

Mr Rockliff expressed his condolences to the families and loved ones of the two northern Tasmanian men who died.

One was aged in his late 70s and the other was in his 90s.

The state’s death toll from Covid is now 108.

There were 1662 new cases recorded in the state overnight.

Mr Rockliff said the total number of active cases currently stands at 10,434 and more than 200,000 Tasmanians have recovered from Covid.

A statement from the Department of Health on social media warned Tasmania’s hospitals were “very busy due to Covid-related pressures”, and other winter demands.

“If you require medical assistance that is not an emergency or life-threatening, make sure you know where to go to get the right service for your needs.”

“Emergency Departments are for serious and life-threatening injuries and illnesses,” the statement said.