The nation's deputy chief medical officer has tried to damp down a controversy that has erupted around claims that health workers in north-west Tasmania became infected by the coronavirus after attending an "illegal" dinner party.
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Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy caused uproar after repeating a rumour that the dramatic shutdown of two hospitals in Burnie was caused after medical staff caught COVID-19 at a party during the Easter weekend.
In a blunt response, Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said contact tracing of the infections so far provided no grounds for supporting the rumour, which is being investigated by police.
Deputy CMO Paul Kelly said Professor Murphy had subsequently "clarified" his comments.
"[Professor Murphy] clarified his statement. It was something that was mentioned to him at some point. But that is an ongoing investigation. I understand the police are involved. So I'm not going to comment on that further," Professor Kelly said.
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Instead, the deputy chief medical officer sought to draw attention to the country's success in controlling the spread of COVID-19 and praise public behaviour over the Easter long weekend.
Professor Kelly said the country was making "great strides" in the effort to slow infections.
"I want to thank the Australian public for continuing to work together on this in relation to those main messages we've been giving about social distancing, good hygiene practices, cough etiquette, and the important message about if you are sick, stay at home," he said.
Authorities had been concerned that many would use the Easter break to travel from home, potentially accelerating the spread of the disease.
But Professor Kelly said testing conducted yesterday identified only "a small number" of new cases.
Figures show there were 36 new infections confirmed on Sunday, 44 on Easter Monday and 32 on Tuesday.
Professor Kelly said the full extent of the country's success in limiting the virus's spread during the Easter period would not be known for a "couple of weeks".
But he said he was "very confident because Australia has been so cooperative with each other in relation to this to keep ourselves protected, our families protected and the whole community protected, that we are in a very good place".
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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Adrian Rollins
Adrian Rollins is economics correspondent for the Canberra Times
Adrian Rollins is economics correspondent for the Canberra Times
