Tasmania’s Covid total out by 1300 cases

Tasmania’s positive Covid statistics have been slightly lower than what’s been reported due to a system error detected last month. LATEST COVID UPDATE >>

Tasmania’s positive Covid statistics have been slightly lower than what’s been reported due to a system error detected by the Department of Health last month.

Premier Peter Gutwein said tomorrow’s toll would be slightly different in terms of positive Covid cases.

“It will reflect an adjustment downward by around 1300 cases as a result of a system fault that’s been picked up and also some double counting that’s occurred with the changeover from RATs to PCR,” Mr Gutwein said.

“We had some people that were logging in twice with both a PCR result and a rapid antigen test result.”

Premier Peter Gutwein says Tasmania may be in the position to cut back on Covid restrictions in the coming months. Picture: Amber Wilson

The error, which has now been resolved, was detected on January 19.

“The actual error won’t affect our active case numbers at the moment, it will affect our cumulative total from the past and our daily numbers over those days from the 15th of December through the 23rd of January,” deputy director of public health Julie Graham said.

Dr Graham said referrals for appropriate medical care were not affected.

“The main result was some people did get extra messaging related to being cases and related to being released from isolation.”

Vaccine outreach kicks off for rural Tassie kids

Schoolchildren on Tasmania’s West Coast can receive a Covid-19 jab before the start of term with the Royal Flying Doctor Service due to run clinics this week.

The RFDS mobile clinics will be open to children aged 5-11 and be held in four towns from Tuesday through to Friday.

Tasmania recorded 504 new Covid-19 cases overnight – very similar to the numbers seen last week.

There are 16 people infected with Covid-19 in hospital, one in ICU.

More than 24.500 people have recovered after contracting the virus.

Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff said nearly 46 per cent of Tasmania’s 5-11 year olds hadalready received their first dose of the vaccine – significantly higher than the national average.

“I can’t emphasis enough that vaccination remains one of the most important protections against serious illness from Covid. So, if you live on the West Coast and are yet to book your children in, now is the time to do so,” Mr Rockliff said.

The RFDS bus will be at the following locations:

• Strahan – Strahan Primary School; February 1 from 8.30am-3.30pm
• Queenstown – West Coast Community Services Hub;February 2, 8.30am-3.30pm and
• Thursday February 3 – 8.30am-11.30am
• Zeehan – Zeehan Primary School; February 3 – 1pm-3.30pm
• Rosebery – Rosebery Neighbourhood House; February 4 – 8.30am-3.30pm

To book the special paediatric dose of Pfizer vaccine at one of the RFDS mobile clinics please go to www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au or call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.

You can also check with your local GP make an appointment with them directly.