19 June 2023
Updates for Tasmania
Keep up to date with what's happening in Tasmania and what this means for your practice.
This page was last updated 19 June 2023.
Winter brings with it increased risk of a range of respiratory illness. The current risk of COVID 19 in the community is moderate. Remaining aware of the current situation in your local area is important.
The Tasmanian Government Department of Health Winter Wellness campaign provides a range of links to assist you to prepare, plan and protect patients, colleagues and the vulnerable.
Bookmark https://www.health.tas.gov.au/campaigns/winter-wellness for ease of access to:
- COVID 19 guidance including testing positive, information for contacts, treatment, and support
- Vaccinations - the best way to prevent severe illness or hospitalisation
- Weekly statistics: COVID 19 and other respiratory illnesses.
Dental practices are likely to experience reported exposures through patient and staff contact. Mitigating strategies learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic may be employed at times of increased risk. These include screening and rescheduling unwell patients where possible, broader use of masks or the level of respiratory protection used [P2, N95], the use of preprocedural mouth rinse, and rubber dam where applicable, cleaning and disinfection frequently touched surfaces and increasing ventilation as much as possible.
Check out Best Practice workplace safety resources – covering vaccination and ventilation.
Practices are reminded it is important and useful at times like this to; consult and communicate to all staff what the current expectations are if they test positive. For more information go to Worksafe Tasmania.
At a glance
- If you test positive to COVID-19 register your positive RAT result online or by calling the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
- Minimise the risk to others through COVID safe behaviours.
- For at least seven days Public Health recommends:
- wearing a face mask when indoors, on Public Transport, and when visiting people who may be at risk of severe illness
- avoiding visiting high-risk settings
- avoiding large gatherings and indoor crowded places
- Tell your close contacts you have tested positive to COVID-19
- guidance for close contacts.
