Tasmania has recorded its third COVID-19 death, a 79-year-old woman with underlying health conditions, as health officials say the state is past its Omicron wave peak.
There are 643 new cases in the state and 35 people are in hospital — 15 specifically for COVID-19 treatment.
Three people are in intensive care and one is on a ventilator.
In announcing the latest death, Premier Peter Gutwein said his thoughts were with those who had lost someone to COVID.
"Sadly we've had our third death today," he said.
"A 79-year-old woman with serious underlying health conditions has died with COVID being a contributing factor.
"The coroner is also investigating if COVID-19 was a factor in a 36-year-old woman's deaths as well."
Public Health director Mark Veitch said he believed case numbers were now on a downward trajectory.
"The trends we are seeing are reflecting a reduction in community transmission from the levels that we were experiencing earlier this month.
"There's been a similar trend in most other states and territories."
Dr Veitch said Tasmania's hospitalisation rate was about half that, per capital, of other jurisdictions.
"About one in every 150 active cases are hospitalised — that's common across most jurisdictions — and about 10 per cent of hospital cases require intensive care," he said.
It comes as the state government moves to cut the wait time for people aged 18 and over to get a COVID-19 booster shot after their second vaccine dose.
The change brings down the wait time from four months to three and comes into effect on February 1.
State Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff said it was in line with advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisations (ATAGI).
"This means about 66,000 more Tasmanians will become eligible for a booster shot and be able to increase their immunity against COVID-19," he said.
About 145,000 Tasmanians have had a booster shot — or more than a third of those aged 18 and over.
But the government said there were still close to 60,000 people aged 50 and over who had not had the third vaccine dose.
"We've seen from the experience in other countries and across the world that the booster is the best way to strengthen your immunity and continue protecting yourself, your family and community," Mr Rockliff said.
"I want to encourage all Tasmanians to check when they had their second dose of a vaccine and when that three-month milestone arrives, I urge them to please book a booster."
The government said there were thousands of appointments available in state-run clinics across the state and at pharmacies and GP clinics.
