Testing for COVID-19 in Tasmania must significantly increase in the face of an uncontrolled outbreak in the North West of the state.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said at a time when the death rate in Tasmania per capita is the highest in the country, the rate of testing is the lowest.
“The outbreak in the North West Regional Hospital involves a significant number of health workers, and has also affected patients.
“There are more than 100 people in self-isolation in relation to that outbreak, with more joining them from today.
“It’s clear the outbreak in the hospital has not been contained, and its source is still unknown.
“What’s needed now is a significant increase in testing at the North West Regional Hospital.
“All patients coming in to the hospital must be tested. All staff must be tested now, and those tests must be repeated twice weekly, so any new cases can be picked up quickly and quarantined.
“Of the confirmed cases of COVID-19 related to this outbreak, some people showed no symptoms. That’s why screening as currently undertaken is not sufficient, and increased testing is essential.”
Ms White said the government must also move faster to ensure health workers are protected.
“Our health workers are under immense pressure during this crisis. They want to keep going to work, to support and protect the community.
“They must be supported to do that knowing their personal safety is assured.
“We continue to hear from health workers that they do not have access to adequate supplies of PPE.
“Government must do whatever it takes to deliver equipment to health workers to ensure their safety, so they can keep working and our health care facilities can remain open.”
Rebecca White
Labor Leader
