The 17 close contacts of a Launceston teenager who tested positive to the COVID-19 Delta strain after arriving on a flight from Melbourne have all initially returned negative test results.
Despite the negative results, Acting Premier, Jeremy Rockliff today said there was “no time for complacency”.
The close contacts will remain in quarantine for at least 14 days, and will be subject to further testing in the coming days, he said.
The 35 people identified as casual contacts are also in quarantine and will be required to be tested today and tomorrow.
“Thank you to those in Launceston who have responded to calls for increased testing. There were 274 tests conducted in the Wellington St facility yesterday, up from 174 on Monday and 129 on Sunday,” said Mr Rockliff.
“It remains vitally important that anyone with even the mildest symptoms gets tested, particularly in the northern suburbs of Launceston.”
He said mobile testing buses would also be utilised in coming days to increase testing capacity in these areas.
“Vaccination remains our best defence against the virus and the latest Commonwealth statistics indicate 78.4% of people aged 16 and over in the Launceston local government area have now received their first dose of the vaccine,” the Acting Premier said.
A pop-up vaccination clinic will be open in Mowbray on Friday and Saturday this week, with hundreds of Pfizer vaccination appointments currently available between 9am and 5pm.
Appointments can be made by visiting www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au or calling the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
