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Modelling shows 30,000 Queenslanders would have died without restrictions
By Lydia Lynch
More than 30,000 Queenslanders would have died from COVID-19 if strict distancing laws were not introduced, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Wednesday as she revealed the details of modelling provided to her at the start of the outbreak.
The modelling revealed tens of thousands of people would have died if the state failed to "flatten the curve".
"It is tough but we have got to comply with the laws because it is all about making sure our loved ones don't end up dying," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"I tell you what, that keeps me up at night, thinking about how I can save people's lives."
Queensland recorded just nine new COVID-19 cases since Tuesday, taking the state's total to 943.
Ms Palaszczuk said the small increase in new cases was proof the community's efforts to self-isolate were having an effect on the spread of the disease.
"We will flatten the curve in Queensland, and we are seeing a trend downwards," she said.
"We all have to work through this together, everyone is doing a terrific job."
Ms Palaszczuk said updated state-by-state modelling would be provided by the federal government soon, and she expected the predicted death toll would "come down dramatically".
"The reality is, the virus is still here and we are still going to see a tragic loss of life," she said.
"Everyone is doing a terrific job": Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.Credit: Dan Peled/AAP
"If you are over the age of 70, you have a 30 per cent chance of ending up in hospital and a 10 per cent chance of ending up in ICU, and each decade [of age] that increases.
"We have a good story at the moment in Queensland, let's keep it up."
Queensland Health modelling released in March predicted 1 million people across the state would eventually be infected with COVID-19, or about one in four people.
While NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she would review distancing restrictions on a month-by-month basis, Ms Palaszczuk said there were no plans to ease tough rules in Queensland.
"I am not commenting on other states, I know we have good plans here in Queensland," she said.
Ms Palaszczuk was expected to announce even tougher border measures on Thursday ahead of the Easter long weekend.