Finkel hails Tassie plan foraged

Top scientist lauds virus response

TASMANIA’S plans to tackle a potential outbreak of COVID-19 inaged-carehomes have been hailed in a national review of best practice for testing and tracing.

Australia’s chief scientist Alan Finkel singled out the state as an example for how to prepare for an outbreak in areview handed to Scott Morrison and state leaders on Friday.

Dr Finkel highlighted Tasmania’s efforts to assess the readiness of aged-care homes for an outbreak, as well as its plans to set up a surge workforce.

That’ s despite concerns previously reported by the Mercury that there were no unannounced safety checks at Tasmanian aged-care facilities from March to mid-August during the pandemic.

Dr Finkel’s report notes that Premier Peter Gutwein’s department had identified the need for close collaboration with aged-care facilities since the beginning of the pandemic.

“Regular meetings with peak bodies and members were established in March 2020 and continue on a weekly

or fortnightly schedule,” the report says.

An Aged Care Emergency Response Centre was then established in August, it says.

Part of the centre’s work involves a self-assessment tool for aged-care homes that can be used to start “robust discussion son strength sand gaps” in their outbreak management plans and any other areas of concern.

“The facilities receive a summary of their preparedness, with options for additional support for improvement, focusing on PPE, education and training and clinical models of care in an outbreak ,” there view says.

Other work includes planning for a surge workforce and upskilling aged-care staff on caring for residents in the event of an outbreak.

Prime Minister Morrison will provide Joe Biden with Australia’s National Contact Tracing Review to help the US president-elect as he develops plans to get a lid on America’s outbreak.

The US recorded more than 150,000 cases on Thursday, the highest of any country in a single day during the pandemic.

Mr Morrison said Mr Bid en was“very interested in Australia’s success ”.

Speaking alongside the Prime Minister yesterday, Dr Finkel said “the overriding conclusion from our report is that there is good reason to be confident in the contact tracing and outbreak management systems in Australia ”.

He cautioned the country “cannot afford to rest on its laurels”.

The report recommends data sharing between states.

“As we go to a more mobile society, and a fully active economy ,( states and territories) need to be confident that they can share information about people who are travelling from jurisdiction to jurisdiction,” Dr Finkelsaid.

“At the moment ... we don’t have a serious issue. But we need to be preparing .”