Media release – Dale Webster, Acting State Health Commander, 13 July 2022
Royal Hobart Hospital escalation
The Royal Hobart Hospital has escalated to level 3 of its COVID-19 Management Escalation Plan from 11am today, Wednesday July 13.
It follows a recommendation of the Regional Health Emergency Management Team and is based on the current level of COVID-positive inpatients, hospital demand and increasing level of staff absences impacting general operations.
Planned elective surgery lists will be reviewed and a reduced number of elective surgeries will be performed as appropriate, depending on hospital demand. The escalation will also potentially have an impact on outpatient services.
If people have conditions that are not an emergency or do not require a hospital admission, they are encouraged to think about the right service for their needs and to reconsider attending the RHH Emergency Department at this time.
During this time, we ask the public for their patience and understanding should they experience longer waiting times for lower acuity presentations. Hospital staff are working hard to address the demand for hospital care at the RHH, and the public can have confidence that the needs of emergency presentations will be met.
The Launceston General Hospital and North West Regional Hospital are also currently operating at level 3 of their COVID-19 Management Escalation Plan, while the Mersey Community Hospital is operating at level 2.
Across the state, there are currently active outbreaks on three wards at the LGH, one ward at the NWRH, one ward at the MCH and at the Lyell House residential aged care facility at West Coast District Hospital in Queenstown.
There are 106 COVID-positive inpatients at Tasmanian public hospitals, with 27 patients being treated specifically for COVID.
There are currently 319 hospital staff across the state furloughed from work due to them either being COVID-positive, or being a close contact of a positive case.
There are currently 19 active outbreaks being managed at Tasmanian residential aged care facilities.
The best protection for the public continues to be vaccination and people can support frontline hospital services this winter by rolling up their sleeves. People aged 30 and over are now eligible for their second booster dose and we would encourage them to come forward to be vaccinated for free at one of our many state-run vaccination clinics, or at their GP or pharmacy.
Equally, if you have not yet had your influenza vaccination, we would also encourage you to come forward for your dose. Flu vaccinations are free at our State-run clinics, and are also free at pharmacies and GPs until the end of July.
We encourage anyone who requires medical assistance that is not urgent or life-threatening, to visit their pharmacy for minor ailments, explore booking an appointment with a local GP, or to call Health Direct on 1800 022 222 for free, trusted health information.
Health Direct is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Some GPs and pharmacies are also available after-hours.
Members of the public are also encouraged to continue to practise the COVID-safe behaviours. Practise good hand hygiene, follow social distancing, test when you have symptoms, stay home when you are unwell, and wear masks when required to do so.
If you require emergency medical assistance, call 000 immediately.
Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Premier, 13 July 2022
Coronavirus Update
Tasmania has recorded 1,708 new cases overnight.
The total number of active cases currently stands at 9,912 and we now have more than 195,000 Tasmanians who have recovered from COVID-19.
There are currently 27 people in hospital being treated specifically for COVID.
Public Health officials have previously explained that fluctuations in daily case numbers are a part of living with COVID and it remains our collective responsibility to look out for one another by continuing to follow COVID-safe behaviours.
Sadly, I can confirm two males, one in his 60s and one in his 80s, have passed away in the state’s south.
I extend my sincere condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones.
With COVID still circulating in our community it’s important to continue following the COVID-safe behaviours – practice good hand hygiene, follow social distancing and I’d encourage you to wearing a mask when you can’t, test when you have symptoms and stay home when you are unwell.
And the most important things you can continue to do to protect yourself, your family and the community is to roll up your sleeves and get vaccinated when you are due.
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.
Editor’s note: Hospitalisations with SARS-Cov2 are 106 and have been increasing steadily for three weeks, since a ‘low’ of 29 hospitalisations across Tasmania on 19 June 2022.
