Covid Tasmania: Rhinovirus and flu also takes toll on healthcare workers

Tassie doctors, nurses and paramedics are “fatigued” after dealing with more cases of Covid, rhinovirus and influenza — with some contracting Covid for the third time, risking long-term effects.

Doctors are urging Tasmanians to better protect themselves against Covid as the virus continues to create “havoc and chaos”, with the number of infections ramping up in the state.

Dr John Saul, the Tasmanian president of the Australian Medical Association, has made an impassioned plea for Tasmanians to take better precautions and wear masks in crowded places.

He says doctors, nurses and paramedics are “fatigued” after dealing with more cases of Covid, rhinovirus and influenza in the past month, with some health works contracting Covid for the third time, risking long-term, debilitating effects.

“We need to go back through all the basics – get your flu shot, make sure you’ve had a Covid booster, protect yourself when you’re in crowded environments and if you’ve got immune deficiencies, there’s nothing wrong with wearing a mask,” Dr Saul said.

“We’ve got Covid in a far, far better place than three years ago, but it’s still creating plenty of havoc and chaos.

“A lot of people are suffering.

AMA Tasmania President Dr John Saul at Parliament lawn Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

“It’s as if the press and the public have run out of steam for thinking about Covid.”

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation – Tasmanian Branch secretary Emily Shepherd commended the Health Department for its winter influenza plan but said there was still a need to fill hundreds of vacant nursing positions.

“It all hinges on sufficient staff to carry out the plan,” she said.

“Over Christmas people were brought back from annual leave to cope with an increase in Covid cases but you can’t bring people back from sick leave.”

The latest Covid figures show the number of new cases last week jumped from 1252 to 1381, with hospital admissions up and three people in intensive care. The number of deaths stands at 289.

Greens health spokeswoman Dr Rosalie Woodruff said nearly five per cent of Tasmanians currently had Covid, the highest in the country.

“These large numbers will still be an underestimate, given people are no longer required to report a positive Covid test, and publicly-available PCR testing was axed by the Rockliff Government,” she said.

“At least one in 20 people on buses, in schools and other workplaces are Covid infectious.

“It beggars belief that Tasmania’s Public Health advice states our Covid risk is ‘low’.

“Where is the messaging to get your booster, wear masks, and stay home when you’re sick?”

Dr Saul did not personally support a mask mandate and said Public Health had done a “terrific job” in advising Tasmanians about Covid.

Public Health director Dr Mark Veitch this month urged Tasmanians to protect themselves this winter with a “substantial increase in one or more common respiratory infections” expected.