A 72-year-old man died on Friday morning at the Mersey Community Hospital at Latrobe in the state’s northwest.

“This is another sad reminder that this disease takes lives, and we must do everything we can to contain the spread of coronavirus,” Premier Peter Gutwein said in a statement.

“I again ask Tasmanians to work with us, do the right thing, stay home and save lives.”

Tasmania has increased policing of social restrictions and expanded testing in the northwest, where an outbreak has forced the closure of two hospitals in Burnie.

All residents and staff at three nursing homes in the region are being tested after it was revealed a healthcare worker with coronavirus had shifts at the facilities.

Almost 100 of the Tasmania’s 180 virus cases are linked to the hospital outbreak, including 60 workers.