Coronavirus testing underway at Tassie facilities

Staff and residents at three aged care facilities in north-west Tasmania will undergo testing for COVID-19 today, the Federal Government has announced overnight.

Staff and residents at three aged care facilities in north-west Tasmania will undergo testing for COVID-19 today, the Federal Government has announced overnight.

The announcement follows confirmation from the Tasmanian Government that contact tracing from the North West Regional Hospital and Private Hospital had identified a healthcare worker who also worked at three aged care facilities.

The worker tested positive to the virus on Thursday 16 April.

Minister for Aged Care Richard Colbeck said the government would have teams on site at each facility to start testing all residents and workers on Friday.

“We will provide assistance as necessary for surge workforce given diminished capacity in the region.

Richard Colbeck

“It is vital that we act quickly to understand the situation and get on top of any potential cases,” Mr Colbeck said.

He said Commonwealth emergency response teams would also be urgently mobilised to work with the three aged care centres to provide:

  • additional workforce where required to maintain safe levels of care
  • adequate supplies of personal protective equipment
  • support and advice on COVID-19 infection control procedures. 

Mr Colbeck said he was closely monitoring the situation with Tasmania Health Minister Sarah Courtney.

There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at any of the three centres to date, the Tasmanian Public Health Services said on Thursday evening.

Test results from one resident who experienced mild respiratory symptom are expected on Friday.

“This is a difficult time – but we are ready to ensure we continue to stop the spread and save lives,” Mr Colbeck said.

He said the residents of the re facilities across the north-eest, the staff who care for them and their families would be kept informed as the situation unfolds.

More to come.

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Tags: covid-19, outbreak management, Richard Colbeck, testing,

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