‘Expect further deaths’: Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s Covid warning as toll since 2020 climbs to 63

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has urged Tasmanians to prepare for more Covid deaths as the state continues to grapple with the effects of last month’s spike in cases.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff is warning of further Covid deaths to come, as Tasmania continues to grapple with the effects of last month’s spike in cases.

The state recorded 1118 new positive cases overnight on Thursday, after 1058 were recorded on the previous day.

Two more people with the virus have died.

“A woman in her late 70s has passed away at a residential aged care facility in the south and a man in his late 50s has passed away at the Royal Hobart Hospital in the south,” Mr Rockliff said on Friday morning.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“I extend my sincere condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the man and woman 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.”

A total of 63 Tasmanians have now died with the virus since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.

There are currently 5983 active Covid-19 cases in the state, with 39 of these in hospital and 19 being treated specifically for symptoms of the virus.

One patient is in intensive care.

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