Virus test blitz as Tasmania’s infection numbers spike

The government has asked people in the state’s north-west to come forward for testing as the capacity to conduct tests is expanded.

THE State Government has launched a testing blitz in the state’s North-West in the hope of a five-fold increase in COVID-19 screenings as infection numbers surge.

The 15 cases detected on Tuesday was the highest daily total recorded so far in Tasmania, and represented just over 10 per cent of the 144 tests conducted. All cases were in the North-West, and included nine health workers, four patients, one close contact and one person who had multiple potential sources of infection.

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Last night, there were another four cases confirmed, bringing the state’s total to 169. All were from the North-West.

Amid calls from the opposition for more testing, Premier Peter Gutwein urged anyone with potential symptoms to come forward.

Premier Peter Gutwein speaks at the daily COVID-19 update on Wednesday 15th April 2020. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“We need those people on the North-West Coast to pick up the phone, call their GP, call the public health hotline and request testing if they’ve got any respiratory condition whatsoever.

“We need them to want to be tested, and I’d encourage them to pick up the phone and to avail themselves of testing that we have available.

“If you’ve got flu symptoms where you believe that you’ve been exposed to COVID, then talk to the public health hotline, talk to your GP, and we will get you tested.”

Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch said there was ample capacity to conduct more tests.

“I would be very happy if we saw a couple hundred people a day in the Burnie community and nearby, who had mild respiratory symptoms or a fever, or more severe respiratory symptoms.

“It’s absolutely important that we do surveillance of infection in that wider group of people, even if they don’t have any obvious connection at the hospital.

“If they do have a connection with the hospital it’s critically important that they get tested.”

Health Minister Sarah Courtney said wait times for calls to the Public Health Hotline had fallen dramatically, despite more than 1100 daily inquiries. She also encouraged people to come forward if they needed to be tested.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney speaks at the daily COVID-19 update on Wednesday 15th April 2020. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“We can have up to 500 tests a day, and we know that capacity can expand further,” Ms Courtney said.

“We have additional machinery on its way to Tasmania to ensure our pathology lab is able to flex up more.”

Ms Courtney said she expected the Emergency Department at the North West Regional Hospital would open today after being deep cleaned to eradicate traces of the virus.

Labor leader Rebecca White said if there was now capacity to perform up to 500 tests each day, that capacity should be put to use: “Ramping up testing is one of the key things we can do right now to detect the spread of the virus in the community,” she said.

Ms White also urged testing to be extended statewide.

WHO SHOULD GET TESTED:

■ North-West Tasmania has been designated as a geographical localised area with risk of community transmission.

■ If you have a fever of 38°C or more, or signs of a fever such as night sweats or chills, or have respiratory symptoms such as a cough, shortness of breath or sore throat, and you have spent time in North-West Tasmania in the 14 days before your symptoms started, you should call your GP or the Public Health Hotline as you may need to be tested for COVID-19.

■ Testing is also available for people who are unwell and have recently travelled overseas, interstate or been on a cruise ship, or been in contact with a person confirmed to have COVID-19.

■ Four respiratory clinics have opened in Tasmania to help meet the demand for COVID-19 testing. The clinics are located in Hobart, Launceston, Burnie and Latrobe.

■ Anyone who thinks they may need testing should contact the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.

Source: www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au