The North West Regional Hospital and North West Private Hospital in Burnie shut on Monday morning, with patients being transferred elsewhere.

About 5,000 people have been forced into quarantine in northwest Tasmania as health authorities battle a COVID-19 outbreak at two hospitals.
The North West Regional Hospital and North West Private Hospital in Burnie shut on Monday morning, with patients being transferred elsewhere.
Of 144 coronavirus cases in Tasmania, 60 were linked to the hospital outbreak, with 42 of them being healthcare workers at those facilities.
State premier Peter Gutwein on Monday said at least 1,200 of the staff at the two hospitals had been ordered to quarantine at home for two weeks.
Anybody else living in their households were also required to self-isolate, impacting about 5,000 people in total.  
The state’s premier, Peter Gutwein, on Monday said at least 1,200 of the staff at the two hospitals had been ordered to quarantine at home for two weeks
Hospital staff wear protective gear while testing patients with symptoms of coronavirus in northeast Adelaide 
‘Never before has a premier had to ask a community to do this,’ he said.
‘I’ve got to admit, the responsibility rests heavy on me in having to make these decisions. But I would ask that you work with us.
‘This is the best way that we can get on top of this, that we can stop the spread of this insidious disease.’
Mr Gutwein announced on Sunday the move to shut the hospitals after a spike in northwest virus cases.
The two hospitals will undergo a deep clean by specialist teams.
Health workers will arrive in the state this week from the Australian Medical Assistance Team, plus members of the Australian Defence Force, to boost resources, Mr Gutwein said.
Nationally, there are 6,351 known cases of COVID-19, including 61 people who have died
Medical personnel carry equipment to the Bondi Beach drive-through testing centre on Tuesday (pictured), where people are queuing up in their vehicles to test for coronavirus
The state government was aiming to reopen the emergency department in 72 hours, with the goal of getting the hospitals back online after two weeks.
Testing will be dramatically ramped up in the region from the current figure of 80 per day to over 200.
In response to the hospital closures, 23 patients were being transferred to the Mersey Community Hospital at nearby Latrobe.
Eight health care workers, one patient and two close contacts of people who previously tested positive were among the latest northwest confirmed cases on Sunday night.
The state recorded its fifth virus death on Sunday, while 57 people are recovering.
Nationally, there are 6,351 known cases of COVID-19, including 61 people who have died. 
The testing process for coronavirus includes a swab of each nostril and the back of the throat