Health caution in wake of case

TWO health workers have been furloughed after potential exposure to COVID-19 after coming into contact with the state’s only active case.

A man aged in his 60s is being treated for the potentially deadly virus after being transferred from a Melbourne hospital and returning a positive test result to a swab taken on Sunday.

Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said authorities had contacted all those who had come into contact with the man during his transfer and subsequent treatment.

“The North West Regional Hospital identified 25 staff who were involved in his care, 23 of those people had no concerns at all about their encounters with this gentleman and there was no question of any breach of infection control,” he said.

“Two people who were asked to reflect upon their encounter with this man reported that they may have touched their mask at some point while they were involved in his care.”

Those staff had been furloughed for two weeks “out of an abundance of caution”, Dr Veitch said, although the risk they had been infected was considered low.

He said it was likely that the man had picked up his infection while he was in hospital in Melbourne being treated for an unrelated condition.

He remains in a stable condition.

Testing rates in Tasmania remain high – with 700 conducted on Tuesday and nearly 76,000 in total.

Premier Peter Gutwein urged Tasmanians to maintain their vigilance with measures such handwashing and social distancing – particularly in the light of a fresh outbreak in New Zealand. But good news was on the distant horizon, he said.

“It has been positive in recent days that some experts have indicated their confidence in seeing the vaccine available some time next year,” he said.

“In terms of where we head to, it’s going to be some time before we’re through this.”

Mr Gutwein said 30 Tasmanian health workers had volunteered to assist interstate – but a smaller number of perhaps five or six would be spared from their duties locally.

The Premier is expected to provide an update on the state’s border restrictions on Friday.

Labor’s heath spokeswoman Sarah Lovell said the latest case was a reminder of the need for vigilance.

“While this is not cause for panic, it is a timely reminder that the threat of COVID is still very real and very present. It is likely we will have more cases coming to the state.”