Three deaths and steady Covid-19 figures

A total of three deaths and 1839 new cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in the last 24 hours for Tasmania. LATEST COVID STATS >>

A total of three deaths and 1839 new cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in Tasmania by the Department of Health from 10am Tuesday to 10am Wednesday.

On Tuesday morning two deaths and 2050 cases were reported.

The number of cases currently in hospital is 48, with one in ICU, while Tuesday’s figures were 55 in hospital with three in ICU.

The total number of active Covid-19 cases sits at 11,064.

With the numbers of Covid-19 cases remaining fairly consistent over the past week, Health Consumers Tasmania has warned the community that “we cannot pretend that Covid has gone away and no longer exists”.

“People are confused because we are being told that we are coming out of the pandemic and life is slowly getting back to pre-Covid days, but that is not what is happening in the classrooms, at work, or with our family and friends,” HCT CEO Bruce Levett said.

“Over the first two years of Covid, tragically in Tasmania 13 people lost their life, and Tasmanians rightly mourned their loss.

“But in the last three months, 21 people in Tasmania have died.”

Mr Levett said despite the current strains of Covid-19 proving milder, many Tasmanians who have recovered from a case have ongoing issues with health and fatigue symptoms.
In Monday’s Mercury it was reported that Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff reminded those most at risk from the virus to make a booking to receive their second booster shot.
Up to 150,000 Tasmanians are eligible to receive their “winter dose”.

More Tasmanian inmates test positive in outbreak – April 12

The number of inmates who have tested positive with Covid-19 has increased, with 50 prisoners confirmed as positive across the Tasmanian Prison Service in the last 48 hours.

There have been 48 cases detected in the Ron Barwick facility, one at the Risdon Prison complex and one at the Mary Hutchinson Women’s Prison.

“Affected prisoners are isolating within TPS facilities in line with the TPS’s Covid-19 management plans and all prisoners within that prison will be tested over the course of the day, so that appropriate actions can be taken,” a Department of Justice spokesperson said.

“Affected facilities are necessarily locked down with access strictly limited to essential services only.

Visitation has temporarily ceased as part of measures to manage the risk of the outbreak spreading.

Risdon Prison. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“This includes the temporary cessation of in-person visits, establishing dedicated isolation facilities within prisons to allow offenders who are either infected or close contacts to isolate as required,” the spokesperson said.

“I know this action affects prisoners and their families but it is necessary to ensure any outbreak is restricted and controlled as quickly as possible.

“Prisoners have been provided with Covid activity packs that contain materials for them to engage in during this time.”

A Covid safety plan has been developed and an outbreak management plan is in place for each facility.

“The TPS is continuing a range of measures which have been in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 including increased cleaning, reminding prisoners and staff of the Covid safe behaviours, and the use of PPE as appropriate,” the spokesperson said.

EARLIER 12pm: There are calls for some of Risdon Prison’s inmates to be released on compassionate grounds after an outbreak of coronavirus was confirmed at the prison.

At least 26 inmates at Risdon Prison have tested positive for Covid.

“We are monitoring very closely and all prisoners will be tested over the course of the next 24 hours,” Premier Jeremy Rockliff said.

“There’s a Covid management put in place which has been in existence for some time to ensure the appropriate isolation and risks for further spread are minimised.”

Mr Rockliff said visitor hours were reduced to minimise the spread of Covid.

Chair of the prisoner’s legal service, Greg Barns SC said overcrowding would likely have contributed to the spread.

“Overcrowding is a notorious problem in the prison system,” Mr Barns said.

“What it means is substandard health and rehabilitation conditions for prisoners.

“When you get a Covid outbreak it exacerbates what is already an issue.”

Greg Barns for the Lost Ones podcast. Picture: Chris Kidd

Mr Barns said Tasmania’s prison system had done a reasonable job compared to the rest of the country, as the most recent outbreak was the second.

He said compared to the general population, Covid was a greater risk to prisoners.

“Prisoners are very vulnerable when it comes to Covid because generally their health is poorer compared to the rest of the community,” Mr Barns said.

“However the risk when Covid gets into the prison is greater for old prisoners, of which there are many, and that’s why we’ve said a lot of those prisoners should be released into the community.”

Greens health spokesperson Rosalie Woodruff said low risk prisoners should be released on compassionate grounds.

“There is a strong epidemiological case for this to happen immediately, to curb the spread of the virus and to relieve pressure on staff,” Ms Woodruff said.

The idea was quickly shut down by the Premier.

“That is not part of our plan, we have very strict procedures and protocols and Covid management plans in place should the eventuality of an outbreak such as this,” Mr Rockliff said.

EARLIER10am: It’s been revealed two more Tasmanians died within the last week after testing positive to coronavirus – both in residential aged care facilities.

A woman in her sixties at a facility in the state’s south died on April 7 and a man in his 60s at a facility in the state’s north died on Sunday.

It brings Tasmania’s total Covid death toll to 36 since 2020.

“I extend my sincere condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the man and woman who have sadly passed away,” Premier Jeremy Rockliff said.

Mr Rockliff said those most at risk from Covid were eligible to receive a second booster in preparation for winter.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Those eligible include Tasmanians aged 65 and over, those in aged care or disability facilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 50 and over and those who are severely immunocompromised.

“Those eligible can also get their flu shot at the same time, so I strongly recommend booking in for both doses with your GP or pharmacy at the earliest opportunity,” Mr Rockliff said.

“Getting a booster when you are due continues to be the best defence against COVID-19, with vaccination available at 100+ pharmacies, 100+ GPs and state-run clinics.”

In the 24 hours to 8pm on Monday, there were 2050 new cases confirmed an increase of a few hundred compared to figures from the last two days.

There are 55 people in hospital who have tested positive to Covid, with 26 being treated specifically for Covid and 29 being treated for unrelated medical conditions.

Three people are in the ICU.

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