An unvaccinated elderly Tasmanian woman who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week has died in an aged care home.
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The 90-year-old woman was a resident at an aged care home in Southern Tasmania that is experiencing an outbreak.
It is the first COVID-19 positive death recorded in Tasmania since 2020.
The woman tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday as part of a testing sweep at the aged care facility, but she had a range of medical issues at the time of her death.
Premier Peter Gutwein said her death was not recorded as being directly related to COVID-19.
"She was diagnosed as part of initial testing that took place across that facility, which was undertaken on Wednesday this week following an outbreak of covid that was identified at that facility on Monday 17 January," Mr Gutwein said.
"In the 24 hours prior to her death, although asymptomatic, she tested positive and therefore covid cannot be ruled out as contributing to this death and in the interest of transparency we are reporting that."
Mr Gutwein said contact tracing was underway at that facility, which has 18 residents who have tested positive to COVID-19, and five staff.
The "case-index", which is the first positive case which started the outbreak, is not yet known.
"On behalf of the Tasmanian government once again, I want to pass on my sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of the woman who has sadly passed away."
Public Health deputy director Julie Graham said all residents within aged care homes in Tasmania have had the opportunity to be vaccinated.
Dr Graham said that when a COVID-19 positive case is identified in a resident or staff member within an aged care facility, an outbreak management coordination plan gets underway, which includes a testing sweep of all staff and residents.
"As part of outbreak management coordination the nursing homes go into lockdown. We put restrictions in place of movements, of residents interacting with other residents, and with staff. We increase appropriate PPE within facilities, and organise these testing sweeps," Dr Graham said.
"We will continue to work with the facility and organise ongoing testing until we are confident that there are no more cases within the aged care facility," she said.
"We are investigating the outbreak within the facility and providing advice around appropriate infection control measures so we can prevent further transmission within the facility."
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