Time between restriction changes as important as having no cases, says top doc

Tasmania’s top public health official says having zero coronavirus cases in the state is “only part of the information” needed before restrictions can be rolled back further.

A SPIKE in the number of coronavirus tests in recent days, and no new positive cases, has reassured state health officials — but they say the testing regime will need to be maintained for many months.

Almost 1500 Tasmanians were tested for COVID-19 on Tuesday and Wednesday, helped by the establishment of two mobile clinics at Mowbray Racecourse and the Derwent Entertainment Centre.

Statewide, 698 people presented at respiratory clinics on Tuesday and 750 on Wednesday — more than 300 of which were at Mowbray and more than 400 at the DEC.

No new coronavirus cases have been recorded in Tasmania for almost two weeks.

Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch speaks at the daily COVID-19 press conference on Thursday 28th May 2020. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said the state was now “testing at a rate that is probably around or above what the rest of Australia is testing at the moment”.

“That provides very valuable information about the absence of coronavirus infection in Tasmania,” Dr Veitch said.

“If you have symptoms, you don’t need to wait until there’s a clinic in your neighbourhood. There’s a range of places you can go and get tested.

“So don’t delay testing if you had, or have recently had respiratory symptoms.”

Dr Veitch said high levels of testing would need to be maintained “for many months”.

He also said the time between restriction changes was just as important as having no cases.

“Once all of the people have recovered and gone home, and we’re getting no additional cases, obviously, that will be a comforting state of affairs. But it’s only part of the information that we need to have to make decisions,” Dr Veitch said.

“There’s been consistent advice nationally, that we need to wait at least three to four weeks between stages of changes.”

Health Minister Sarah Courtney said more people than anticipated had attended the DEC and Mowbray Racecourse no-booking, drive-through testing clinics on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Ms Courtney said last weekend, more than 220 people presented to mobile clinics set up at George Town, Oatlands and Nubeena.

This weekend, further regional testing will be held at Rosebery, Dunalley, Triabunna, Deloraine and Queenstown, with bookings preferable but not compulsory.

Next Tuesday, the no-booking clinics will pop up at Prospect and Sorell.

MORE NEWS:

• ‘Do the right thing’: Sheean family fury at Defence Chief
• Calls to fast-track traffic buster in growth corridor
• Changes to News Corp Australia

Premier Peter Gutwein reminded Tasmanians not to forget the “virus is still decimating countries in other parts of the world, and that we are seeing cases in other parts of this country”.

He said the recovery plan relied on four safeguards — COVID-19 safe workplaces, tracking and tracing, rapid response capabilities and high levels of testing.