Dr Toby Gardner says cases of influenza A and pneumonia on the increase in Tasmania

As expected, winter has seen an increase in Tasmanians suffering from Covid, influenza A and RSV. Where current rates for these illnesses stand.

FILE – A nurse loads a syringe with a COVID-19 booster vaccine at an inoculation station in Jackson, Miss., Nov. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

A wave of Covid cases has hit the state’s public hospitals and forced some Tasmanians to cancel their school holiday plans.

The Health Department confirmed cases of Covid at the Royal Hobart Hospital, Launceston General Hospital and North-West Regional Hospital but were unable to say how many patients had been infected

The Huon Valley Council also said there had been a Covid outbreak in the area and asked visitors to the medical centres to wear masks when attending appointments.

A Health Department spokesman said the hospital cases were “being managed as per normal protocols”.

“Where cases are identified, our hospitals utilise well-established management protocols to care for the patients, contain transmission, minimise disruption and limit any preventable risk to patients, staff and the community,” he said.

“There has been recent increases in Covid, influenza, RSV and other respiratory pathogens in the Tasmanian community.

“The best thing people can do is stay up to date with vaccinations and stay home while unwell.”

Doctor Toby Gardner chair of Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Tasmania. Tasmanian GP's visited the Tasmanian parliament to call on politicians to fund the state'•s health workforce. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Dr Toby Gardner, chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners said while he was seeing people with Covid, he was seeing more patients every day with influenza A and secondary bacterial infections including pneumonia.

“It is just starting to ramp up and it will get worse over the next four weeks,” he said.

“People are cancelling their school holiday trips because they just feel so lousy.

“We’re also seeing people with secondary bacterial infections. I saw three people with pneumonia before 10 o’clock today.”

Dr Gardner said people were getting bacterial infections after having viral infections.

On Friday the Huon Valley Council urged people experiencing any respiratory symptoms to take a RAT test before visiting medical centres.

“This simple step helps keep our community and healthcare workers safe,” the council said.

“Thank you for doing your part to look after each other during this time.”

The Health Department’s latest acute respiratory surveillance report said acute respiratory illness activity in Tasmania was currently moderate as was Covid, “consistent with a wave of increased activity”.

It said influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity was also currently moderate and increasing, consistent with seasonal activity.

“Recent increases have been observed in those aged 0-4 years and in the North-West region,” the report said.

Coronavirus. COVID-19. 3D Render Escape 3 December 2023 Why I travel Photo – iStock

The Health Department is urging Tasmanians to keep up to date with vaccinations as “a simple, safe and effective way to protect you and your family this winter”.

“Vaccination boosts your immunity and protects against severe illness,” the department spokesman said.

“This is especially important for those at higher risk, including older adults and those living with medical conditions or risk factors.

“Influenza, Covid and RSV vaccines are available through most General Practices and community pharmacies.”

As well as vaccinations health authorities advise people who are unwell to stay home and for people to regularly wash or sanitise their hands, and cover coughs and sneezes.