Tasmania's major hospital may be forced to cut back on elective surgeries due to rising coronavirus patient numbers, staff absences and overall demand.
The Royal Hobart Hospital on Wednesday escalated to level three of its COVID-19 management plan. Three of the state's four biggest hospitals are now operating at this level.
"Planned elective surgery lists will be reviewed and a reduced number of elective surgeries will be performed as appropriate, depending on hospital demand," acting state health commander Dale Webster said.
"The escalation will also potentially have an impact on outpatient services."
People are being urged to reconsider attending the Royal Hobart Hospital emergency department if they do not require admission.
"During this time, we ask the public for their patience and understanding should they experience longer waiting times for lower acuity presentations," Mr Webster said.
Launceston General Hospital and North West Regional Hospital moved to level three on Friday.
Case numbers are rising across the country on the back of surging Omicron subvariants.
COVID-19 outbreaks have been identified on three wards at Launceston, one at North West, one at the Mersey Community Hospital and at an aged care facility at the West Coast District Hospital.
There are 319 hospital staff off work across the state due to positive tests or close contact requirements.
The state government has urged people to wear masks indoors but stopped short of reintroducing a mandate.
"We go hand-in-hand with the advice we are given from public health," government minister Jo Palmer told reporters.
"You don't have to have a mandate to put a mask on. If you want to wear a mask indoors, as the premier has recommended, then put a mask on.
"At some point we have to be a society that takes personal responsibility for our actions and the consequences of our actions."
The state Greens have called on the government to reinstate mask mandates.
Tasmania recorded 1780 new infections and two deaths on Wednesday, while active cases were at 9912, the highest level since mid-April.
There are 106 people with the virus in hospital, including four in intensive care.
