The health and safety of Tasmanians remains our number one priority as we continue to take steps to live with COVID-19.
Today’s 466 new cases in the State brings the total number of active cases to 1691.
Importantly, while two people are in hospital, both are for medical reasons unrelated to COVID-19.
This means there is no one in hospital for COVID, nor the ICU, nor is anyone being ventilated. These are the statistics that count.
The evidence continues to show that the Omicron strain, while highly transmissible, is much milder and less severe, with the vast majority of cases experiencing only mild symptoms.
In fact, around 50 per cent are now choosing not to utilise the covid@home program as they are not symptomatic and are in relatively good health and comfortable to care for themselves in their suitable premises.
This is due in no small part to our highly vaccinated population - one of the highest in the world and our older Tasmanians especially have a very high level of vaccination.
We have opened up and are learning to live with COVID-19, and for those playing politics such as Labor and the Greens, and criticising our plan to reopen, they need to answer very clearly – if not now – when and what is their plan?
While some people and businesses may continue to be concerned, which is perfectly understandable, we have opened as one of the safest and most vaccinated places in the world.
My advice to businesses is to keep following your COVD safety plan and continue to operate accordingly – we will all get through this together.
It is important that everyone keeps calm, continues with COVID-safe behaviours, and that we continue to work together as we progress through this transition phase.