Winter Strategy 2022

2022 Winter Strategy

Prevention, Detection and Treatment of Severe Winter Illness

• We have a pyramid of actions:
  • increased vaccination
  • increased testing
  • increased hospital avoidance
  • increased bed capacity and
  • increased available treatments.
• Maximizing COVID-19 and influenza vaccination:
  • Increased COVID-19 booster rates, particularly for >50yrs
  • Increased 5-11 vaccination rates
  • 4th dose rollout for immunocompromised
  • Increased Flu vaccination rates for NIP eligible Cohorts (>65years, 0-5 years, vulnerable)
  • Additional 100k free flu doses targeting critical workers and households with a vulnerable member
  • Co-administration
• Early Detection of Illness:
  • Surveillance testing to detect levels of COVID and Influenza in Community
  • Targeted multiplex PCR testing for COVID and Influenza (single swab) for vulnerable to allow early and accurate treatment
  • Increased distribution of Rapid Antigen Tests and pre-positioning
  • Rapid Tests for influenza – Point of Care
• Community based care for respiratory illness to support Primary Care (GPs) and avoid hospital admissions:
  • Extend Covid@home to influenza/ respiratory illness virtual care@home
  • GP Respiratory Clinics extended to 30 September 2022
  • COVID@hotel rooms for those unable to isolate safely at home
  • Case Management Facilities to support more serious COVID/respiratory illness cases not requiring hospital
• Maintain COVID increased bed capacity in our hospitals
• Increased availability of Treatments:
  • Continue to build and maintain pharmaceutical stockpiles for COVID and Influenza (Tamiflu)
  • Pre-position treatment for early administration (eg RACFs)

Hospital Winter Preparedness - March 2022

Facilities and equipment available:

North West Regional Hospital

9 new beds + 12 Covid beds (surge capacity) + 31 State ventilators + 11 Sunrise  Community Case Management Facility beds

Mersey Community Hospital

11 State ventilators

Launceston General Hospital

47 new beds + 55 Covid beds (surge capacity) + 76 State ventilators + 25 Coach House Community Case Management Facility beds

Royal Hobart Hospital

96 new beds + 144 Covid beds (surge capacity) + 90+ State ventilators

37 Private ventilators + 50 Fountainside Community Case  Management Facility beds

Tasmanian Critical Care Bed Surge Capacity

34 current + 80 additional = 114 Total

PPE stock: