Sarah Courtney,Minister for Health
Keeping Tasmanians safe and secure is our highest priority as we continue to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak in the state's North West.
That is why we began a testing blitz for the region yesterday as a further measure to stop the spread of coronavirus in Tasmania.
I know it is a very anxious and stressful time for the community, and waiting for a test result can heighten this, so today we are commencing the implementation of a streamlined process for booking and reporting back on tests. We are continuing to improve our booking process and increasing the resources available to make sure that people can be allocated a test booking or receive their results as soon as possible.
We want more testing and faster callbacks, so we can get on top of this outbreak and restore healthcare services for the North West community ASAP.
For the North West:
- If you have any respiratory symptoms, you can request a test.
- If you are a health care worker, an employee or contractor, or emergency services personnel, that worked a shift at the North West Regional Hospital or the North West Private Hospital since 27 March, or someone that lives with someone in those groups - whether symptomatic or not - you can request a test.
- If you are someone in the NW (with no association with the hospital sites), but you have respiratory symptoms – you can get a test.
Please contact your GP or the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
While we have already offered testing for all staff members of the NWRH and NWPH, the Government has also bolstered coronavirus testing capacity across the area including:
- Expanded capacity at existing sites;
- A new drive-through facility at the Parkside Building;
- Finalising the facilities for drive-through testing at the East Devonport Recreation Centre; and
- Other new mobile bus clinics which can deployed across the region where needed.
Yesterday we did more than 200 tests statewide, but we want to do more.
More Tasmanians being tested, especially on the North West, will help us ensure we have the best public health control measures in place to protect the community.
