The Tasmanian Health Department has paid out $1.64 million in workplace compensation claims for hospital staff impacted by the North-West COVID outbreak from April last year.
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The figure is expected to almost double as some staff continue to confront the health effects of "long COVID", with the department budgeting a total of $3.22 million for claims from workers, outlined in budget estimates on Monday.
The outbreak - stemming from Ruby Princess cruise ship passengers returning to Tasmania - resulted in the closure of the North West Regional and Private hospitals and caused 138 cases of COVID including 80 healthcare staff and 25 patients.
An independent report found "at least 10" people died as a result - nine inpatients and one aged care resident.
Since then, 48 workplace compensation claims were made to the Health Department, with all but one from the North-West outbreak.
Of those, 36 were resolved, three of which have since been reopened "due to the occurrence of an ongoing symptom", according to Health Department secretary Kathrine Morgan-Wicks.
Fifteen claims remain active - five who are "incapacitated for work due to significant health complications post-infection", five who are on "graduated return-to-work programs" and five who have fully returned to work.
Ms Morgan-Wicks said it was an ongoing process due to the unknowns regarding long COVID.
"The influencing factors on the progression of claims do include the limited understanding of ongoing and new symptoms, and medical reasons for them," she said.
"We have the presentation of increased anxiety due to the COVID-19 situation on the mainland, and the fear of COVID-19 cases occurring in Tasmania.
"That includes an increase in the fear in social engagement in the community setting by people that already have suffered COVID."
The workplace compensation payouts cover wages, treatment, rehabilitation and legal fees.
Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff met with North-West hospital staff to discuss the ongoing impact of the outbreak.
He said the government was committed to providing support.
"It was a very, at times emotional, meeting and discussion. I thank them for reaching out to me for discussion. I'm scheduled to meet with them again in a few weeks time," Mr Rockliff said.
"During the ... sit down and listening exercise which I valued a great deal, we spoke about some of the matters and support that are needed to support their transition back to work."
Greens health spokesperson Rosalie Woodruff said it was incumbent on the government to listen and act upon the concerns of healthcare workers.
"It's really concerning to hear about the impact of 'long COVID' on Tasmanian healthcare professionals," she said.
"These are people who put themselves in harm's way to look after our community during the North-West outbreak, and they should receive any and all support they need. Workers compensation is a good start, but unfortunately we're hearing the government is not doing enough to address the issues being experienced by these staff.
"We encourage the Minister to listen to those suffering from long COVID, and to make addressing their concerns a genuine priority."
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