Continuing to keep Tasmanians safe 26 January

Peter Gutwein,Premier

The health and safety of Tasmanians have been our number one priority since day one of the pandemic and this will continue as we transition to living with COVID-19.

Overnight, case numbers have remained relatively steady with 712 new cases being reported. Once again, those released from isolation are more than the daily case numbers with 870 people recovering overnight.

The total number of active cases is 5,094 and the total number of people who have recovered is now 21,298.

The number of people in hospital with COVID has fallen from 35 yesterday to 28 today, with 11 of those people in hospital being treated specifically for COVID (down from 15 yesterday). These figures include two people being cared for in ICU with no one being ventilated.

Sadly, I can confirm that a fourth person has passed away associated with COVID-19 since 2020.

The person deceased is an 80-year-old woman who was admitted to hospital on 13 January and was being treated in hospital for COVID pneumonia.

I would like to pass on my sincerest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the woman who has sadly passed away yesterday.

While we continue to progress through this transition phase, the evidence remains clear that the most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get vaccinated. Vaccination remains our best protection against COVID.

If you haven’t had your first or your second dose, or if you’re due for your booster, please make a booking as soon as possible.

Please, don’t forget the important COVID safe behaviours– wash your hands and sanitise, cover coughs and sneezes and importantly, stay home and do a test if you’re unwell.

We will continue to keep Tasmanians informed at every step moving forward as the pandemic continues to evolve.