Eighteen patients have been evacuated from a hospital in northern Tasmania after it was damaged by storms.
The patients are being moved from Beaconsfield District Hospital, about 50km north of Launceston, to other hospitals in the region as a precaution.
"There are no injuries and all are safe and in a stable condition. None of the patients are COVID-positive," Regional Health Commander Peter Renshaw said in a statement on Friday afternoon.
"The families and next of kin of the patients are being contacted to advise where the patients are being taken.
"The removal of patients and staff will allow emergency crews to assess the situation."
Patients are being relocated to George Town, Scottsdale, Deloraine, Campbell Town and Launceston General Hospital.
A severe weather warning was in place on Friday afternoon for heavy rainfall in parts of Tasmania's southeast, east coast and midlands as storms swept across the island.
Australian Associated Press
