Communicate uncertainty and prepare for the worst: learning from healthcare workers’ perceptions of an early rural hospital-centred COVID-19 outbreak response in Tasmania, Australia

Healthcare workers who experienced an early hospital-centred COVID-19 outbreak in regional Tasmania, Australia, highlighted the need for enhanced preparedness in terms of infection control training and personal protective equipment availability, adequacy and access for future outbreaks. Planning for a successful future pandemic response also should include emergency communication preparedness, planning for effective communication in a multi-institutional healthcare campus in a situation of constant uncertainty. Staff resilience and commitment should be celebrated and reinforced as assets for future responses, while ensuring recommendations for changes to planning and practice stemming from the outbreak are implemented.