Covid Qld: Three more unvaccinated deaths, 23k cases as peak two weeks away

Queensland’s Covid wave is expected to peak in two weeks, but in different stages across the state, as the Premier reveals three more deaths – all among unvaccinated people – and 23,640 new cases.

More than 23,000 new cases have been recorded in Queensland while three people – none of whom were vaccinated – have lost their lives, as the chief health officer warns the state’s peak is about two weeks away but will happen in different stages.

Chief health officer John Gerrard said two of the deaths were people in their 70s while another was in their 60s.

None of them were vaccinated.

There are now 589 people being treated in hospital which includes 41 patients in ICU, with 15 on ventilators.

Dr Gerrard suggested the peak of the Omicron wave would be reached once the number of hospitalisations starts to stabilise, but when that would happen ‘is the question on everyone’s lips’.

He did say, however, that Queensland was about two weeks behind NSW case levels, where he believes it is reaching its peak.

Queensland is about two weeks away from the Covid peak.

“We are going to see steady growth until we reach a peak some time in the next two weeks but because it is a decentralised state we are going to get peaks at different times in different regions,” he said.

He said the Gold Coast would likely reach its peak before other parts of Queensland due to the region’s initial surge in case numbers.

“Our modelling has suggested that Queensland in general is about two weeks behind NSW but different areas will reach their peak at different times because we are a more decentralised state,” he said.

“So presumably, and this is a bit speculative, Gold Coast, which was the first region to seem to get its growth, will reach its peak earlier than other parts of Queensland ... that’s what one would expect.

“The most useful things to look at will be hospitalisation rates rather than the number of cases,” he said.

He said hospitalisations on the Gold Coast had been relatively steady in the past day or two but it was too early to speculate on if it meant the peak was being reached.

“I think the Gold Coast will be the first to peak,” he said.

Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Dr Gerrard said the Covid deaths were occurring in a range of settings, including hospitals, aged care facilities, and homes and some people had a short period of illness and then sudden death - often from the heart condition myocarditis.

“There’s a steady increase in the number of patients in hospitals,” Dr Gerrard said.

He said most of the growth was occurring south of the Brisbane River.

The new cases include 10,182 positive rapid antigen tests.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said 5.96 per cent of all 5-11 year olds got vaccinated in just three days.

“Our 12-15 year olds are not at the same rate as the adult population,” she said.

Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy said 48 per cent of people were eligible to get their booster.

“We do have capacity,” he said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said every Queenslander has had the opportunity to get a vaccine.

“The vaccination will help prevent serious disease and the booster is an added layer,” she said.

“Please, please go talk to a trusted health professional if you have any concerns whatsoever.”

Ms Palaszczuk said she had heard reports of unvaccinated people taking rapid antigen tests everyday.

She said she did not know what else the government could do to get more people vaccinated.

She said 91.41 per cent of Queenslanders have now received their first dose.

REVEALED: SUBURBS WHERE 120,000 COVID CASES LOCATED

Ms Palaszczuk said telecommunications and media and broadcast workers would be added as essential workers – making it easier for them to work amid the current wave of Omicron.

More than 600 private beds have been secured which the Health Minister said was creating more capacity in hospitals as Covid-19 surged.

Ms Palaszczuk would not say if any thought had been given for a support package for small businesses impacted by the virus.

She said closures were individual decisions that businesses were making based on their staff levels.

Dr Gerrard pointed out that under the current road map, quarantine would not be required for international arrivals once the 90 per cent double dose vaccination rate is reached, expected some time next week.

Ms Palaszczuk said more details would be provided next week on the Wellcamp quarantine facility.

“We are prepared,” she said, as she warned another variant could be around the corner.

It comes a day after the state recorded its deadliest day in the two years of the pandemic, with six deaths recorded.

The six people who died were aged between their 70s and 90s.

“To lose six in one day is a big shock,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Thursday, adding it was “a very, very sad day” for Queensland and expressed sympathy for families.

“I think this would be a very difficult time for families at the moment,” she said.