Tasmania's coronavirus tally reaches 122, with 11 more cases being confirmed on Friday, the acting director of Public Health says.

Key points: "An elderly gentleman" has died in Tasmania's north-west, bringing the state's coronavirus death toll to four

"An elderly gentleman" has died in Tasmania's north-west, bringing the state's coronavirus death toll to four Overall, 122 people have been confirmed as having COVID-19 in the state

Overall, 122 people have been confirmed as having COVID-19 in the state Public Health Services is bringing in new guidelines to protect hospital staff in the north-west

Dr Scott McKeown said 10 of the cases were from the north-west and one from the south.

"One of the cases is a teenager, two are in their 20s, three are in their 30s, one is in their 40s, one is in their 60s and three are in their 70s," he said.

Eight of the cases are healthcare workers who have worked at the North West Regional Hospital (NWRH) and the North West Private Hospital, and two cases are patients at the NWRH.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Sarah Courtney earlier on Friday confirmed there had been a fourth coronavirus death in Tasmania, a man in his 70s at the North West Regional Hospital.

"The death was an elderly gentleman, who died at the North West Regional Hospital. I send my sincere condolences to his family and his friends," she said.

"This is serious and I urge all Tasmanians to continue taking the steps that we need to take to ensure that we keep our community safe."

Premier Peter Gutwein said in a statement the man "was being cared for" at the hospital, and the "tragic passing" was a reminder the community must abide by the measures in place.

Ms Courtney said there had been an "outbreak" in the NWRH, and to ensure the safety of the staff in the hospital "extraordinary" measures would be taken.

All staff at the hospital working in the medical and surgical wards have been told to quarantine for 14 days.

The staff unable to quarantine in their own homes would be provided accommodation.

Ms Courtney said the staff would be tested over the next 24 to 48 hours, and even if staff do not test positive, they will still be asked to quarantine for two weeks.

"This is a conservative approach and it is in the best interests of the staff, the community and patients at that hospital," Ms Courtney said.

"The steps that we have taken go above and beyond the guidelines and we are doing this for the people in that community.

"We also ensure that all staff that do turn up to work are being screened before entering work to ensure that more measures are being taken."

Sarah Courtney says the state's north-west is experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak. ( ABC News: Tony King )

Chief Medical Officer Professor Tony Lawler said previously any individual who had spent at least 15 consecutive minutes with a COVID-19 patient was recognised as a "close contact".

He said the number of close contacts had been "underestimated" and in high-risk scenarios, a decision to identify people who had been in contact with coronavirus patients would be applied.

Subsequently, all staff who worked at the hospital were being assessed as people at risk.

"We recognise that there is a significant level of anxiety in the community, both broadly and within the clinical community, around what we face at the moment, so we want to indicate that the step we have taken today is particularly impactful," he said.

"It is above and beyond the national guidelines."

He said if staff would be tested for coronavirus if they requested it.

In addition, the Mersey Community Hospital's emergency department will be closed, but staff will continue to work from the site to provide care for emergency patients.

The single COVID-19 patient at the hospital will be moved to the NWRH.

Any patients discharged from the Mersey or NWRH will be asked to quarantine for 14 days.

'Don't bring disease home to your children'

Meanwhile, Tasmania Police have spent the day doorknocking and checking hundreds of vehicles to identify whether people are travelling for essential purposes only this long weekend.

Professor Lawler said some people were still not listening and were engaging in risky behaviour.

"[It's] medically very frustrating. I think there's an element of ignorance in why people move around. I think there's an element of feeling invulnerable. I think it's selfishness," he said.

"I recognise that there's a significant desire, particularly on a Good Friday, for people to get out and for people to enjoy.

"But I would reiterate that if you want to undertake risky behaviour, undertake risky behaviour that only presents risk to yourself.

"Don't go out and bring disease home to your children. Don't go out and bring disease home to your parents."