Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Health, 10 July 2022
Keeping Tasmanians safe from COVID-19
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the health, safety and wellbeing of Tasmanians has been our number one priority.
That’s why the Tasmanian Government is pleased to welcome several recent announcements and updates to the public health advice by the Australian Government and its associated health advisory bodies that will help protect Tasmanians from the severe impacts of COVID-19.
From tomorrow, access to potentially lifesaving COVID-19 antiviral treatments will be expanded, with all Tasmanians aged over 70 who test positive to COVID-19 able to access antivirals on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Antiviral access will also be expanded to 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.
Taken as a tablet or capsule, Tasmanians can access these potentially lifesaving oral treatments through their GP or through the COVID@homeplus program.
Antivirals help prevent COVID-19 infection from becoming severe, but they are not a replacement for vaccination or covid safe behaviours.
To maximise their effectiveness it is important that antivirals are taken as early as possible after testing positive. Therefore, I encourage Tasmanians to continue to get tested as soon as they have symptoms or are notified as a close contact, and to register for COVID@homeplus.
This important change, alongside expansion of winter booster vaccine eligibility announced on Friday, will help protect Tasmanians from the severe effects of COVID-19 and reduce the impact on our health system.
From tomorrow, more people will also be able to boost their protection from COVID-19 with a ‘winter dose’, or second booster vaccination. Adults aged 50-64 years of age are recommended to receive the extra dose, while those aged 30 to 49 years will also be eligible.
A winter dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is already recommended for people at greatest risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and I would strongly encourage these groups to get that critical extra protection if they haven’t already.
COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations are available across Tasmania at participating GPs and pharmacies, and we have now opened up additional state-run clinics to further maximise access.
Finally, there has also been an important change to the reinfection period for COVID-19. People who have symptoms of COVID-19 from 28 days after their previous release from isolation should stay at home, test and isolate for at least 7 days if they test positive.
This follows updated advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) that reinfections with the more transmissible BA.4/BA.5 subvariants may occur as early as 28 days after recovery from a previous COVID-19 infection.
The Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants are now seen as the dominant strains of COVID-19 in Tasmania and Australia, so we will likely see increased numbers of reinfections among those who have previously had COVID-19.
While we are transitioning to living with COVID-19, given the increase in case numbers it’s important to take personal responsibility by following the COVID-safe behaviours – practice good hand hygiene, follow social distancing and I’d encourage you to wear a mask when you can’t – particularly in indoor public spaces, test when you have symptoms and stay home when you are unwell.
To find out more, visit www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au or call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP, Greens Health spokesperson, 11 July 2022
Rockliff Must Act as Hospitals are Struck by Covid
Predictably, Tasmanians hospitals are struggling as the current Covid wave continues. Around 300 healthcare workers are unable to show up to work today due to Covid, and the North West Regional and Launceston General Hospitals are both at level three Covid management plans.
Tasmania is recording well over 1000 new cases a day and is heading towards half the state’s population being infected or reinfected. As BA.4 and BA.5 infect in large numbers, we’re looking towards rates seen earlier this year.
This is shaping to be January all over again. The Rockliff Government knows what to expect in terms of high absenteeism, mass infection and hospitalisations, and health system overload. The only difference is, in January a mask mandate was in place.
The new subvariants are more infectious, and more vaccine evasive. By refusing to implement a universal mask wearing requirement, the Rockliff Government is actively ignoring the single best public health measure he can take to reduce the amount of airborne infections, and to prevent the increased risks that come from reinfections.
The Greens wrote to the Premier and Director of Public Health over two weeks ago, outlining the science on reinfection rates and long-term Covid health risks, and urging them to reconsider the ending of mask wearing protections. We have received no response.
The most simple, effective mitigation is to reinstate mask-wearing in indoor settings, and invest in air purification measures for businesses. It will save lives, and reduce infection and reinfection.
We implore the Premier and Director of Public Health, for the sake of our elderly, immune compromised, those with a disability – our hospital workers, and every Tasmanian who needs their help – to reinstate mask protections, today.
Every Covid case avoided is better for that person, their workplace, the continuity of supply and services, and our community.
If this wave of Covid is expected to peak in August or September, with tens of thousands of infections before then, there is no time to waste.
