Tasmania has recorded 1,684 new cases overnight. The total number of active cases currently stands at 9,561 and we now have more than 210,000 Tasmanians who have recovered from COVID-19. There are currently 52 people in hospital being treated specifically for COVID.
There are 2 patients in ICU.
Sadly, I can confirm two women have passed away earlier this week: a woman in her late 60s passed away in the North and a woman in her late 50s passed away in the South. I extend my sincere condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones.
The Government and the Department of Health are constantly and closely managing the current situation in each hospital to ensure we meet demand. We are taking action where required and have kept our leadership teams responsive and agile. The Tasmanian Health Service was prepared for and is managing the current BA.5 Omicron wave. Tasmania continues to have one of the lowest rates of ICU admission compared to other states and territories. Where individual patients need high-level health care, we are able to provide it.
COVID-19 is currently widespread throughout the nation. We must continue to act to reduce the risk to ourselves and others safe from COVID-19. Public Health has strongly recommended wearing a mask in all indoor public places and on public transport, and in other settings, if you can’t physically distance. Masks must still be worn in all our public hospitals. If you have symptoms, stay home and get tested.
Importantly, if you test positive for COVID, you must register your test at www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au, or by calling the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738, to ensure you have access to COVID@homeplus if you require it, as well as access to anti-viral medications if you are eligible. Tasmanians aged over 70 who test positive for COVID-19 are able to access anti-virals on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Anti-viral medication is also available for people aged over 50 with two or more risk factors for severe disease, and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged over 30 with two or more risk factors for severe disease.
If you are high-risk, it is important you seek anti-viral treatment as soon as possible to ensure it is most effective in treating your illness. To access anti-viral treatment, contact your GP or usual health care provider in the first instance, or call the COVID@homeplus team.
As a further measure to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread, we are strongly encouraging families and loved ones of hospital patients to consider keeping in contact with them remotely, rather than making a physical visit to the hospital as we have unfortunately experienced some transmission from visitors.
The most critical thing that Tasmanians can do to protect themselves from the severe consequences of COVID is to ensure they are up to date with their vaccinations and it is not too late to do this in this current COVID wave. Among persons hospitalised with a COVID-19 diagnosis in Tasmania, those unvaccinated were three times more likely to die than those who had received 2 or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
If you haven’t already, make a booking with one of the many providers across the state and get your vaccination as soon as possible.