Media release – Dr Mark Veitch, Director of Public Health, 9 July, 2021

COVID-19 update – possible risk sites

Public Health Services is working to establish the movements of a person who tested positive for COVID-19 two days after they left Tasmania and arrived in London.

The person, a healthcare worker, left Tasmania on 2 July. They tested negative for COVID-19 prior to leaving Tasmania and arrived in London on 3 July, transiting through Melbourne and Singapore. On 4 July, they tested positive for COVID-19.

While there is no evidence that this person contracted COVID-19 while they were in Tasmania, or was infectious while they were in Tasmania, Public Health Services is taking a precautionary approach to ensure there is no risk to the Tasmanian community.

The person spent a number of days travelling to parts of Tasmania before leaving for the United Kingdom. A list of places the person visited between 23 June and 2 July is being compiled by Public Health Services and will be published tomorrow morning. People who were at those places at the same time will be advised to self-isolate and get tested for COVID-19 as a precaution.

Two other people who the person stayed with before departing the state, have been placed in self-isolation and have returned negative tests for COVID-19.

The person last worked at the Launceston General Hospital on 20 June. There is currently no evidence this person posed any risk to staff or patients.

Further information will be released tomorrow, with site and location details to be published at www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au.

Wastewater testing conducted in Tasmania this week has not returned any positive tests for COVID-19.

If you have any symptoms of a cold or flu, no matter how mild, please get tested for COVID-19 by phoning the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738. Testing for COVID-19 gives public health authorities the best chance of detecting cases early enough to prevent an outbreak.

Please use the Check In TAS app whenever you enter a businesses or venues displaying the Check In TAS QR code. This information will be critical for contact tracing in the event any cases occur in Tasmania.

Visit www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au for the latest Tasmanian information.