Royal Hobart Hospital, Launceston General Hospital Covid outbreak: Spike in cases of patients, staff

A second Tasmanian hospital will see an escalation in Covid protocols after a spike in positive cases in patients and staff. LATEST >>

The Launceston General Hospital will escalate to Level 2 of its Covid-19 Management Escalation Plan from 8am tomorrow, Saturday November 26.

This follows the same escalation at the Royal Hobart Hospital on Wednesday, sparked by the heightened level of Covid-positive inpatients and increasing level of virus-related staff absences.

LGH district hospitals and other facilities will remain at Level 1.

Signage to the coronavirus assessment clinic set up in Launceston. Picture: Patrick Gee

State Health Commander, Kathrine Morgan-Wicks, said from 8am on Saturday the LGH would escalate to level 2 of its Covid management plan “based on the level of Covid-positive inpatients and increasing level of Covid-related staff absences”.

“We are also seeing an increasing number of visitors entering the health facility with symptoms,” she said.

“If people have symptoms of Covid they should get tested and avoid visiting high-risk settings, such as hospitals.

Covid-19 Update for schools Katherine Morgan-Wicks, Head of Department of Health Tasmania Photo: Linda Higginson

“Hospital staff are working hard to address the demand for hospital care at the LGH, and the public can have confidence that the needs of emergency presentations will be met.

“People are encouraged to help keep our emergency departments for emergencies by using the right service for their needs.

“As part of this escalation, staff continue to be required to wear N95/P2 masks and eyewear in identified clinical and patient-facing settings to keep staff, patients and visitors safe.”

Visiting hours will continue to be from 2pm to 7pm and all visitors will be screened before entering the hospital.

Visiting restrictions will apply to designated Covid wards.

Meanwhile, the latest data from the Health Department on Friday showed the number of new Covid cases in the past week has risen to 2712 up 22 per cent on the previous week.

The daily average had jumped from 318 to 387.

The number of people in hospital also had risen to 49 with 25 being treated specifically for Covid and two patients in intensive care.

There were no Covid deaths in the past week but 201 Tasmanians have died with Covid since the pandemic started.

Ms Morgan-Wicks said district hospitals would remain at level 1 of the Covid management plan and the regional health management team would continue to monitor the situation closely.

“Hospital escalation is a well-established process that has repeatedly proven to be effective in managing periods of heightened demand during previous waves of the pandemic,” she said.

Tasmanians can contact Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 24 to speak to a registered nurse for free, 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Royal Hobart sees spike in virus cases in patients, staff

Hobart’s Royal Hobart Hospital has been escalated to level 2 of their Covid-19 Management Escalation Plan amid a spike in positive cases from patients and staff.

Secretary and State Health Commander Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said the escalation as at 8am Wednesday followed a recommendation from Regional Health Commander Dr Stephen Ayre, “based on the level of Covid-positive inpatients, increasing level of Covid-related staff absences, and the impact of a Covid-19 outbreak on a hospital ward”.

“We are also seeing an increasing number of visitors entering the health facility with symptoms,” Ms Morgan-Wicks said. “If people have symptoms of Covid-19 they should get tested and avoid visiting high-risk settings, such as hospitals.”

Royal Hobart Hospital. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Staff at Royal Hobart Hospital and its associated sites will now be required to wear N95/P2 masks and eyewear in all clinical and patient-facing settings.

Visiting hours will continue to be 2 to 7pm, but all visitors will be required to complete the health screening process before entering.

“Hospital escalation is a well-established process that has repeatedly proven to be effective in managing periods of heightened demand during previous waves of the pandemic,” Ms Morgan-Wicks said.

“People who have conditions that are not an emergency or do not require a hospital admission are encouraged to think about the right service for their needs and to reconsider attending the RHH Emergency Department during this time.

“During this time, we ask the communities of Southern Tasmania for their patience and understanding should they experience longer waiting times for lower acuity presentations.

“Hospital staff are working hard to address the demand for hospital care at the RHH, and the public can have confidence that the needs of emergency presentations will be met.”

Secretary and State Health Commander Kathrine Morgan-Wicks. Picture: Chris Kidd

The Department of Health reminds Tasmanians if you require non-urgent medical assistance, you can visit your pharmacy for minor ailments, try booking an appointment with a local GP or call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

Healthdirect is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Some GPs and pharmacies are also available after-hours.

Health authorities say it is important to continue testing for Covid, because if positive you may be eligible for antiviral treatments if you are:

• 70 years of age or older, regardless of risk factors and with or without symptoms
• 50 years of age or older with 2 additional risk factors
• First Nations person, 30 years of age or older and with 1 additional risk factor
• 18 years of age or older and moderately to severely immunocompromised.

These antivirals can be prescribed by your GP or by registering with our COVID@homeplus service.

A link to register with COVID@homeplus will be sent to you when you register a positive COVID-19 test result at www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au.