AMA Urges Mask-Wearing to Combat COVID Surge

Media release – AMA Tasmania, 21 July 2022

AMA TASMANIA IS STRONGLY URGING THE COMMUNITY TO DO THE RIGHT THING

As Tasmania manages another surge in COVID case numbers, AMA Tasmania strongly urges the community to wear masks indoors.

Dr John Saul, AMA Tasmania President, said, “there are several simple but important steps to protect against the spread of COVID and influenza: vaccinate, hand sanitise, stay at home if you are unwell and wear a mask indoors.

Indoor mask-wearing, particularly in crowded areas when you are not actively eating or drinking, is a simple and sensible measure that we all can do that will not only help mitigate the transmission of COVID but also other circulating respiratory viruses like the flu.

Dr Saul added, “while we’re not at the stage of calling for a return of mask mandates we are very close and without the Tasmanian public doing the right thing, like wearing a mask, particularly at indoor venues when you can, not only to protect you but to protect others there may be no choice but for the state government to step in and protect the community by mandating us to do the right thing when it comes to masks.”.

We expected an increase in respiratory viruses such as influenza and COVID during the winter period, where people are entertained and socialise indoors much more; what we did not anticipate was the virulence and rapid spread of what is now being referred to as the third wave.

This third wave is leading to incredible pressure on our already overstretched health system, and healthcare workers, including doctors, are exhausted and universally burnt out.

All our hospitals are now operating at a Level 3 in response to rising case numbers and staff shortages across all disciplines.

Across the Tasmania system, general practice, public and private hospitals, aged care facilities, nursing, and ambulance staff, we are seeing ongoing staff shortages due to doctors and staff getting sick, which means that Tasmanians who need care may not be able to get the care they need.

“Not only are these COVID impacted staff shortages jeopardising immediate care access, but they are inevitably adding to the “tsunami of people” waiting for elective surgery, what my colleagues and I are now calling an “unseen tragedy of the pandemic”, something that we all have the power to help avoid by wearing our masks, sanitising our hands, staying home if symptomatic and getting our vaccines if eligible,” said Dr Saul.

We must all do our bit; it is important to stay home if you are experiencing even the mildest of symptoms, work from home if you can, continue washing your hands, avoid busy places, wear masks indoors and meet in well-ventilated spaces.

If you have symptoms, get a PCR test, and make sure your vaccinations are all up to date.

Finally, Dr Saul added, “we know what to do, and we know how to do it, it’s up to each and every one of us to do the right thing, not just for our own health, but more importantly for the benefit of the doctors and nurses we all are relying on to be there for sick Tasmanians.”

Media release – Michael Ferguson, Acting Premier and Minister for Health, 21 July 2022

Coronavirus Update

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.