Coronavirus Qld: COVID death takes state’s tally to seven

A man has died from COVID-19 in a Brisbane hospital overnight, taking the Queensland death toll to seven, as the state recorded two new cases.

An Australian man in his 80s has died of COVID-19 in a Brisbane hospital following a trip to the Philippines, taking the state’s death toll to seven.

It comes as Queensland recorded two new COVID-19 cases, both of which were acquired overseas and detected in hotel quarantine.

He died in Prince Charles Hospital in Chermside, almost exactly a year since the state’s last COVID death

“Sadly, a seventh person with COVID-19 has died,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

The man died at the Prince Charles Hospital in Chermside. Photo: Paul Guy

“The 80-year-old returned traveller died in hospital, after contracting coronavirus overseas. He was diagnosed while in hotel quarantine and admitted to hospital on 25 March.”

The man who passed away tested positive on March 25 while in hotel quarantine and was admitted to Prince Charles Hospital.

He had been travelling in the Philippines, transited through Papua New Guinea and returned to Australia on March 20.

Although he travelled through COVID hotspot PNG, Queensland chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said she believed he acquired it from the Philippines.

“He had been in ICU but not when he died,” she said.

He passed away late yesterday from complications.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the man’s death was a reminder that COVID-19 was a deadly virus and urged everyone to get vaccinated when it is offered.

“I’m in the over 50 age group so I will be as soon as I’m able to be and it’s offered to me getting the Astrazeneca vaccine,” she said.

Dr Young said there was no risk to the community as the man acquired the virus overseas and went through hotel quarantine and then straight to hospital in Australia.

Sadly, a seventh person with COVID-19 has died. The 80-year-old returned traveller died in hospital, after contracting coronavirus overseas. He was diagnosed while in hotel quarantine and admitted to hospital on 25 March.

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) April 13, 2021

She also said the death was a reminder on the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine and that despite advice against people under 50 getting the AstraZeneca vaccine, it “doesn’t stop” people from choosing to get that jab.

“There is the new advice going forward, of course, that anyone under 50 should preferentially be offered the Pfizer vaccine if it’s available.

“But it doesn’t stop people getting the AstraZeneca vaccine if they’re under 50 and they feel that their circumstances are such that they would prefer to immediately get vaccinated rather than wait for the potential to get the Pfizer vaccine.

“But anyone who’s 50 years of age or over, and when they’re offered the vaccine because they’re in the relevant priority group, they should be vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine. That’s very important.”

Restrictions remain in place across Greater Brisbane until Thursday.

All going well, restrictions will go back to where they were prior to the recent two clusters.

Dr Young said it won’t be a slow roll back.

There are 55 active cases across the state.