Media release – Professor Tony Lawler, Acting State Health Commander7 July 2022
North West Regional Hospital escalation
The North West Regional Hospital will escalate to level 3 of its COVID-19 Management Escalation Plan from 8.30am on Friday, 8 July.
It follows a recommendation of the Regional Health Emergency Management Team and is based on the current level of COVID-positive inpatients, general hospital demand and increasing level of staff absences impacting general operations.
The escalation applies only to the NWRH and does not apply to the Mersey Community Hospital, District Hospitals, Community Health Services or Mental Health Services.
As part of the escalation to level 3 of the NWRH’s COVID-19 management escalation plan, the time for visitors to attend the hospital will be reduced from one hour to 30 minutes.
Planned elective surgery lists will also be reviewed and a reduced number of elective surgeries may be performed depending on operational requirements.
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 NWRH Emergency Department during this time.
During this time, we ask the communities of the north west 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 NWRH, and the public can have confidence that the needs of emergency presentations will be met.
If you require medical assistance that is not urgent or life-threatening, visit your pharmacy for minor ailments, explore booking an appointment with a local GP, or 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.
People can support frontline hospital services this winter by rolling up their sleeves and getting vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19 to protect themselves against these respiratory viruses. Both vaccines are currently free at GPs, pharmacies and state-run vaccination clinics for all Tasmanians.
Please also 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, Minister for Health, 8 July 2022
Coronavirus Update
Tasmania has recorded 1,589 new cases overnight.
The total number of active cases currently stands at 8,927 and we now have more than 189,000 Tasmanians who have recovered from COVID-19.
There are currently 88 people in hospital with COVID and of these, 22 are being treated specifically for COVID. There are currently three people being cared for in the ICU.
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 people in their 90s and one person in their 70s have passed away in the state’s north.
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 wear a mask when you can’t, test when you have symptoms and stay home when you are unwell.
And the most important thing 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.
Cassy O’Connor MP, Greens Leader, 8 July 2022
100 Covid Deaths: An Utterly Tragic, and Preventable Milestone
Tasmania hit a terrible milestone overnight – 100 deaths from Covid-19.
This is a profoundly tragic statistic, but it’s 100 lives cut short and 100 Tasmanian families grieving.
We hope the very real human toll won’t be ignored by Premier Rockliff, who came to the top job promising to lead a government with heart.
We hope the Director of Public Health and his team see the light and advise for a reset to prevent mass infection and save lives.
We implore the Premier and Dr Veitch to change course on Covid. Waves of rolling mass infection, disability and death are untenable.
Now is the time to mitigate mass infection, and prevent further deaths. There are a range of simple, common-sense strategies like masks, ventilation and air filtration that the Premier and Dr Veitch should be using, and promoting publicly to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Now is the time for government to invest in evidence-based messaging about mask wearing and cleaning the air we breathe indoors. Now is the time to support businesses to upgrade ventilation and air filtration systems so Tasmanians can work and enjoy the indoors without risking their health.
After 100 deaths and nearly 200,000 Covid cases, the Premier must be open and transparent about the deadly seriousness of the BA.5 subvariant.
He should be clearly explaining what Tasmanians need to do to protect themselves and others – particularly the vulnerable in the community, many of whom are living in fear.
Today’s sobering statistic should serve as a reality check. This government must do better – the lives and long term health of Tasmanians are at stake.
