Testing for COVID-19 in the Tasmanian community must increase, to prevent widespread community transmission.
Shadow Health Minister Sarah Lovell said the outbreak of COVID-19 in Tasmania’s northwest is a wakeup call.
“We have a situation where health workers have tested positive and been stood down, patients have been infected, and the source of this outbreak remains unknown.
“The World Health Organization has warned that without a large-scale effort to test and trace coronavirus, the disease can spread quickly and silently throughout the community.
“Tasmania’s population is older and sicker than the national average and an uncontrolled spread of the virus would have a devastating impact.
“All Tasmanians with symptoms must be tested and appropriately isolated to prevent rapid and uncontrolled spread of the virus.”
Shadow Minister for Local Government Anita Dow said Environmental Health Australia has backed the call for more testing, and offered to help resource the increased effort.
“Environmental Health Officers in Tasmania are primarily employed by local government, so know their communities well and are valued members of those communities.
“Their expertise could be used to support an increased testing and tracing effort. And they could also provide other valuable support to the pandemic response, including logistical support and support for THS in non-clinical roles.
“I understand Environmental Health Australia has written to Minister Mark Shelton to offer the expertise of their members and I urge him to take up their offer.
“We must take every opportunity to use the resources we have to get ahead of this crisis.”
Sarah Lovell
Shadow Minister for Health
Anita Dow
Shadow Minister for Local Government
