Covid Qld: Qld records spike of 31 cases as mask mandate kicks in

Queensland's Covid outbreak has continued to rise with 31 new cases - a 50 per cent spike since yesterday. The Chief Health Officer warned ‘Covid is everywhere’ and Omicron would become dominant within weeks.

Queensland's Covid outbreak has continued to jump with 31 new cases recorded overnight - a 50 per cent spike from yesterday.

Of the new cases, none are seriously unwell but Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said we had to expect ‘Covid is everywhere’ and the increase in numbers would continue.

There were now 12 cases of Omicron in the community.

“We expect the Omicron variant to become dominant in Queensland in the coming weeks,” he said.

Dr Gerrard said the cases, which was a 50 per cent increase on Friday, were “expected” and he had no intention of closing the borders.

“In the coming weeks we are going to see very large numbers of Covid-19 in the community,” he said.

“We must assume that Covid is everywhere.

“It is expected, it is inevitable, and it is necessary.”

Chief Health Officer Dr. John Gerrard. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Of the 31 new cases, two were overseas acquired and detected in quarantine, eight are contacts of known cases, five are linked to interstate travel and therefore not in quarantine.

One case was caught in the Queensland community and not currently linked to any cluster or contact.

Fifteen cases were currently under investigation.

The cases were spread across the state from north and south Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Darling Downs, Townsville and Cairns.

“Although the numbers seem small, percentage wise they are increasing steadily,” he said.

Dr Gerrard said there were some cases in the healthcare sector.

Health venues affected include the North West Private Hospital, Toowoomba and PA hospitals, Blue Care in Mackay and a GP in Brisbane.

“This will continue to occur,” he said.

“All of our healthcare workers are vaccinated - the risk to patients is minimised.”

Mask rules are required again in Queensland. Picture: John Gass

Dr Gerrard said people must continue to check exposure sites and people with the Omicron strain often had no symptoms.

“You may well not be aware that you’re carrying the virus,” he said.

There have also been more than 30,000 border applications received overnight with a small number of interstate arrivals placed into quarantine because they had not had their PCR test in time.

Police had intercepted more than 36,000 vehicles and 150 flights from hotspots in the past 24 hours with traffic on the M1 delayed for an hour last night as incoming visitors flooded in.

There were delays at the border after thousands of southerners flooded in. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Dr Gerrard revealed the latest cases on day one of the new mask mandate at a press conference with small business Minister Di Farmer and Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll.

Ms Carroll said Queensland police was “extraordinarily pleased” after day one of the new vaccine mandate, with only vaccinated patrons allowed in venues.

In the last 24 hours, they only received 22 complaints.

However, she said a person had abused staff at a Strathpine venue.

“People are doing the right thing,” she said.

She said there had been a couple of difficult patrons, but businesses and venues were pleased with minimal disruptions.

She gave a sincere thank you to Queenslanders for co-operating.

“The last 24 hours have been incredibly pleasing,” she said.

“At the end of the day, this is the law.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Dianne Farmer said Queenslanders had been “absolutely magnificent” on Friday as the new mandate kicked in.

“We have heard so many stories about patrons who have gone out of their way so that it was easy for staff,” she said.

“Yet again, Queenslanders have risen to the occasion and just done a great job.”

She thanked everyone who made an extra effort.

With a week to go until Christmas, she encouraged Queenslanders to shop local.

“They have borne the brunt of the restrictions and now is the time we say thank you.”

Ms Carroll said police would continue their “compassionate and education” approach towards the mask mandate.

Masks became mandatory in shops, hospitals, aged care, rideshare, airports and on public transport and planes across Queensland from 1am Saturday.

Referring to the anti-vax protest planned in Brisbane on Saturday afternoon, Commissioner Carroll asked for respect from all.

She said it was “disappointing” when police see a small number of people doing the wrong thing.

“It is always a minority that make it difficult for us,” she said.

“The majority of protesters have always been very compliant and very respectful.”

The case spike follows 20 Covid cases across Queensland yesterday as southerners from Covid hotspots continue to flood into the state.

One of Queensland’s most popular bars was evacuated after a Covid scare on Friday night and people were turned away from businesses across the state on the first day of the new vaccine mandate.

Dozens of venues from Cairns in the north to Taroom in the west were listed as exposure sites, including the Gold Coast’s swanky Burleigh Pavillion which was shut down in a dramatic twist to day one of the new Covid normal in Queensland.

Burleigh Pavilion, which made headlines this week after copping abuse from anti-vaxxers when management vowed to strictly enforce the new regulations limiting entry to double-jabbed patrons, was cleared out just before 6pm.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said officers would not hesitate to issue hefty fines to those flouting the new rules, with businesses facing penalties of up to $14,000, while individuals who refuse to comply can be fined $1378.