Tasmania has recorded another 27 COVID-19 cases — a new record — and listed popular tourist sites Salamanca Market and MONA as exposure sites.
The new daily rise edges above the 26 new cases reported yesterday and brings the total number of active cases in the state to 79.
Of those cases, 21 people are in a medi-hotel and 37 are using the COVID@home program.
One previous case remains in hospital in Burnie, but COVID-19 was not the reason for their admission.
There are no cases in intensive care.
Of the 79 cases, 41 are in Tasmania's south, 13 are in the north and five in the north-west.
More than 3,000 COVID tests were done in the state on Thursday.
The list of exposure sites is continuing to grow, with about 150 now listed.
Launceston's Cafe Mojo has been listed as a close contact exposure site between 8:57am and 9:57am on Tuesday.
Anyone at the cafe between those times must isolate and get tested.
Hobart tourist hotspot Salamanca Market has been listed as a low-risk site between 10:30am and 2:10pm on December 18, while MONA is listed as low risk between 11:30am and 2:00pm on Thursday, December 23.
Anyone who has been at a low-risk exposure site during the specified times should monitor themselves for symptoms and get tested if symptoms develop, no matter how mild.
Casual contacts are people who have been in the same place as a confirmed case during their infectious period but do not meet the definition of a close contact.
Casual contacts must get tested between days three and five of visiting a casual exposure site. Quarantine is not required.
Close contacts are people who have had face-to-face contact with a confirmed case during their infectious period.
Vaccinated close contacts must quarantine immediately and have a COVID-19 test. Another test is required on day five or six.
If test results are negative, the person will be released from quarantine on day seven, but there are some further rules about how they can interact with others.
Unvaccinated close contacts must isolate and get a test. They must remain in quarantine for 14 days and have a minimum of two tests.
Concerns over vaccine supply delays
Southern Tasmanian pharmacist Shane Jackson said he was struggling to keep up with demand for vaccines.
Mr Jackson said the Health Department told him that unprecedented demand for deliveries had delayed the arrival of vaccines.
"It just puts extreme challenges on the pharmacy and, I think, general practice workforce because there is a significant lack of certainty around supply. You don't have certainty about bookings and [it] puts increasing strain on an already-strained and overworked system."
Mr Jackson's concerns come as the federal government announces Australians will be eligible to receive their booster shot four months after their second vaccine, which is a reduction of one month.
The change will come into effect from January 4.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said pharmacies were equipped to manage demand for vaccines.
State health commander Kathrine Morgan Wicks said on Thursday that Tasmanian health authorities were already preparing for a reduction in the recommended time between a second and third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Ms Morgan-Wicks said about 45,000 Tasmanians had already received their booster shot.
"Omicron has underlined how important it is to have the follow-up booster," she said.
Unions calls for COVID danger pay
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has renewed its call for extra pay to compensate for COVID-19 risk to public sector nurses and midwives in Tasmania.
"As anticipated the reintroduction of COVID-19 on the first flight into Tasmania following the borders opening has resulted in a significant increase in pressure on those nurses, assistants in nursing and health services officers in testing clinics across the state," ANMF Tasmanian branch secretary Emily Shepherd said.
Ms Shepherd said the decision to open the state's borders was having an "incredibly significant" impact on members.
"Our members tell us they are there face-to-face with positive COVID-19 cases when swabbing at testing sites, caring for them in case management facilities and in hospitals.
"We must recognise the stress, fatigue and social isolation that this causes, or we will see more nurses and midwives leave the sector."
