Tasmania records another COVID death

An 11th person has died of COVID-19 in Tasmania, giving the island state the third highest toll in Australia after NSW and Victoria.

Another elderly man has died from coronavirus at the Mersey Community Hospital in northern Tasmania, taking the state's toll to 11 - ten in the state's northwest.

Only NSW and Victoria in have recorded more deaths from COVID-19 in Australia.

Health Minister Jenny Courtney announced the death of the man in his 90s today, following the death of another man at the hospital yesterday.

She also said a health worker at the Mersey hospital in the COVID positive ward was the latest confirmed case.

A total of 208 cases have now been confirmed in Tasmania, while 123 have recovered.

"I'd like to reassure other staff at that site that this gentleman has presented swiftly. He did only work within the COVID ward at that hospital," she said.

Tasmania's Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch said the man had few contacts, and stopped working as soon as he showed symptoms.

Ms Courtney praised Tasmanians for responding to calls for testing, with the Northwest Regional Hospital is still undergoing deep cleaning.

The outbreak in the northwest has forced the state government to extend strict restrictions and broaden testing.

Restrictions closing non-essential retail in the region, due to be lifted on Sunday, have been pushed back to at least May 3.

Most Tasmanian schools are preparing to return for Term 2 on Tuesday,but the northwest region is on a different timeline.

Schools in the northwest area will open a week later than the rest of Tasmania, with teachers, police officers and other public servants urged to get tested for the virus with or without symptoms.