Tasmania's frontline nurses, midwives and care workers have called on the community to help them in the fight against COVID-19.
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian branch have launched a social media campaign urging the community to care for healthcare professionals by staying at home and isolating themselves as much as possible.
Coronavirus: All the latest updates on COVID-19 for Tasmania
Branch secretary Emily Shepherd said members on the frontline were urging Tasmanians to take the threat of COVID-19 seriously, or risk the prospect of widespread social transmission, sickness, and death.
"Our social media campaign echoes the words of nurses, midwives and care workers pleading with the Tasmanian community: help us help you, isolate before it's too late," she said.
"The thoughtless behavior of those how have travelled and not followed the social isolation requirements, is extremely disappointing for our members and their health care colleagues who are working so hard to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Tasmania."
IN OTHER NEWS:
The ANMF's social media campaign calls on state and federal governments to implement nationally consistent strategies.
On Thursday Premier Peter Gutwein implored Tasmanians to do what they could to work with the government on practicing social distancing and adhering to isolation rules.
Ms Shepherd said the community should look to Europe to better understand the impact this sort of behavior has had on the spread of COVID-19.
"We know that flouting the isolation requirements is putting all Tasmanians at risk. Most importantly, it is also putting the critical healthcare workforce at risk," she said.
"The actions of these individuals are reducing our efforts to 'flatten the curve' and get ahead of this virus before it is too late.
"The Tasmanian government needs to act now to ensure that we can stop the spread of COVID-19.
"One of the worst possible results would be having to ration healthcare resources, such as intensive care unit beds in the state."
As of midday Thursday there was 42 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Tasmania.
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
