Illegal 'dinner party'' linked to Tasmanian COVID-19 cases is 'rumour'

Either way it's the basis of a police investigation in north-west Tasmania now.

It is the origins of the coronavirus outbreak which has swept part of Tasmania and which has resulted in the mobilisation of Australian Defence Force personnel.

Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy was briefing a select committee of New Zealand MPs via video when he reportedly said:

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein fired back in his daily briefing:

"At this stage, our contact tracing has not identified a dinner party of health workers," Mr Gutwein said.

"However I accept that this is a serious allegation and it's something that needs to be followed up.

"We will retrace our steps, but importantly I have asked Tasmania Police to investigate this matter and that will start today.

"At the end of the day, I am certain that there are many hard working health professional on the North-West Coast who feel that their reputation is being maligned.

"Regardless of whether or not that party took place, it does not change the fact that we need to get on top of this outbreak."

Mr Gutwein said Professor Murphy had offered to correct the record.

Tasmania's coronavirus tally sits at 150, with 57 recovered, 88 still being managed and five deaths.

Tasmania shut two neighbouring hospitals on Monday for deep cleaning after the confirmation of cluster of coronavirus cases at the North West Regional Hospital and North West Private Hospital in Burnie.

The Australian Defence Force has been called in to set up a makeshift emergency department in Burnie, Tasmania and Australian Medical Assistance Teams personnel are on their way to assist, after about 1200 medical staff and their close household contacts were placed in isolation.

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