Brisbane Times

Queensland records 589 cases, but hospitalisations remain low

Brisbane Times logo Brisbane Times 24.12.2021 14:33:17 Cloe Read

Queensland has recorded 589 cases of COVID-19 across the state, but authorities say hospitalisations remain low.

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said there were more 1300 active cases across the state and urged Queenslanders to wear their masks.

Ms D'Ath said 32 of Queensland's 77 local council areas had cases of COVID-19 within their communities.

Almost 86 per cent of Queenslanders were fully vaccinated, Ms D'Ath said, while 90.2 per cent have had their first-dose, adding that the federal announcement of the booster shots being brought forward was "great news".

Asked whether she was concerned about booster shot supply, Ms D'Ath said the federal government had indicated there was adequate supply.

"We have to assume that's accurate and it's about making sure that supply gets to us quickly," she said.

Queensland Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said three people were in hospital with mild to moderate symptoms.

"So we have no patients in Queensland with severe COVID-19," he said.

Dr Gerrard said positive cases were found across the state, including the south-east, Gladstone, Fraser Coast, Mackay, and Townsville.

He said there were 268 people being managed for the virus at home, while 110 people were in hospitals.

"Even though it is everywhere, we are seeing relatively few sick patients in hospital and that's because the vaccines are working," he said.

The state government also announced information would be rolled out via text message to people when they test positive, so they could prepare for having COVID.

Ms D'Ath also held firm on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's stance this week on keeping PCR tests as the requirement for interstate travellers, saying rapid antigen tests were not readily available anyway.

"Remembering, you won't need any test whatsoever if you are coming from a hotspot when we hit 90 per cent double dose, and we are getting to that 90 per cent very quickly," she said.

"But for this small window that we have remaining, the number of weeks that we have before we get to that 90 per cent, we do need to make sure we're managing this.

"I don't know if anyone has gone into any pharmacies or chemists lately, but everyone I've walked into they're selling out at the moment.

"So to say people should just be able to go get rapid antigen testing, they come at a cost, as opposed to PCR tests which don't, and they're not available all the time everywhere, so we would still see delays."

Ms D'Ath said if free rapid antigen testing was to be implemented, it should be handled by the Commonwealth.

Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said more than 38,000 vehicles were checked across the border, with 150 people were turned away.

vendredi 24 décembre 2021 16:33:17 Categories: Brisbane Times

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