Tasmania has recorded 900 new cases overnight, with 911 people recovered and released from isolation in that time.
The total number of active cases currently stands at 6,261 and we now have more than 131,000 Tasmanians who have recovered from COVID-19.
There are currently 46 people in hospital with COVID and of these, 21 are being treated specifically for COVID. There are currently three people being cared for in the ICU.
Sadly, I can confirm that three Tasmanians have passed away with COVID-19 over the weekend.
These persons, whose deaths were caused or contributed to by COVID-19, were two men and one woman, aged in their 40s, 50s and 70s, one each day since Friday.
I extend my sincere condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of these people who have sadly passed away.
We can, unfortunately, expect further deaths from COVID-19 as the occurrence and peak in COVID-19 deaths typically occurs up to a month after the peak in community cases. This reflects the later peak in illness among older persons and the clinical course of severe illness due to COVID-19.
As of 12.01am this morning, Monday 2 May, people who are close contacts of COVID-19 cases no longer need to quarantine for seven days in Tasmania, but they are still required to follow a series of important public health measures.
This is another important step in our ongoing transition to live with COVID-19 and I want to assure Tasmanians that we are doing this safely, sensibly and in line with national and Tasmanian public health advice.
It also brings Tasmania into line with most other states and territories.
Among persons hospitalised with a COVID-19 diagnosis in Tasmania, those unvaccinated were three times more likely to die than those who had received 2 or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. This is why getting a booster when you are due continues to be the best defence against COVID-19, with vaccination available at 100+ pharmacies, 100+ GPs, and state-run clinics.
With COVID continuing to circulate within the community, I would also like to remind everyone that it is all our responsibility to look out for one another by following the COVID-safe behaviours.