‘Significantly worse’: Mask mandate could return as Covid wave wreaks havoc

Queenslanders are being warned to prepare for Covid infection to be ‘very common’ as Omicron sub-variants ‘evade immunity’, triggering a fresh wave with masks back on the cards.

Queensland could reintroduce mask wearing as the current immunity-evading Covid-19 wave worsens with the Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard confirming “it’s being discussed.”

Dr Gerrard said that a number of his interstate colleagues had flagged the possibility of once again asking people to mask up to slow the spread.

“I can say that nationally, there is increasing pressure, there is a school of thought that we should be mandating masks again,” he said on 4BC.

But he stopped short of suggesting that Queensland would reintroduce a mask mandate, only confirming that the restriction was “being discussed.”

Deputy Premier Steven Miles, speaking to reporters on Saturday, also refused to rule out a return of the mask mandate, warning infections were soaring.

Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard says masks could be back. Photo: Sarah Marshall

Mr Miles said there were 5000 new Covid cases in Queensland - 10 times the number of new flu infections - with 500 people in hospital.

He said this was equivalent to the number of beds in a medium-sized hospital.

“We are seeing a lot of new Covid cases,” he said.

“We’re clearly feeling the effects of this in the community, in workplaces and in hospitals.

“The chief health officers continue to meet regularly and they continue to compare notes about how the virus is spreading in each of the states as well as the intelligence we get from right around the world.”

Mr Miles said health advice around masks had not changed ‘at this stage’ but the State Government was closely monitoring the situation.

He said Queenslanders should carry a mask if they were worried about catching Covid-19.

“If anyone is concerned, please carry a mask,” he said.

“There’s no rule against using masks - in fact if you’re ever worried, you should use one. “They have a benefit, they do keep you safe.”

Mr Miles said he was aware of discussions among chief health officers about the return of a possible mask mandate.

“Nothing has changed about the health advice at this stage,” he said.

“If the health advice changes, we’ll inform Queenslanders as we have throughout the entire pandemic.”

The possibility of Queenslanders needing to mask up again came as Dr Gerrard said the current covid wave would “get significantly worse in the coming weeks.”

He said the current strains of the virus were evading both vaccine and natural immunity, but said that being vaccinated was still the best option to avoid serious and deadly symptoms, pointing to current hospitalisation statistics.

“We are seeing the establishment of a new wave of covid, these BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants that are causing a significant wave at the moment.”

“Infection with this virus will be very common, you will know a lot of people infected with this strain of the virus in the coming weeks.”

“We always knew that winter would be bad but this variant is being particularly nasty.

“The thing with this strain of virus is it’s evading immunity, whether it’s quite naturally or through vaccination.”

Dr Gerrard said that the best way to avoid becoming infected with covid was to get vaccinated, with those over the age of 65 urged to book their fourth dose.

“The majority of people that are being admitted to hospital in Queensland are people over the age of 65 who are not up to date with their vaccinations.”

“That has actually shocked me, that most (of those) people are not up to date with their vaccinations.”

Those aged under 65 are also being asked to make sure that they have received their recommended three doses of a covid vaccine, with Dr Gerrard warning that the coming weeks could see hospitalisations soar.

“It could well be that we have a similar number of patients or even more in the coming weeks.”

Queensland reached a peak of 900 covid related hospitalisations earlier this year.

“The vaccines do protect us, particularly if you’re up to date with boosters; they protect us against severe disease, that’s the most critical thing,” Dr Gerrard said.

A Queensland Health spokesperson said “the Chief Health Officer regularly meets with his colleagues and other key stakeholders to discuss public health measures as part of the response to COVID-19.”

“This virus will continue to mutate so it is important people remain vigilant and responsive by staying home when sick, washing their hands regularly, keeping their distance from others where possible and wearing a face mask when they can’t.”

The spokesperson said any changes to covid restrictions would be communicated to the public.

Queensland has seen a more than 12 per cent rise in Covid-19 deaths over the past month, with 199 fatalities in June compared to 177 in May when the BA.4 and BA. 5 Omicron sub variants first emerged.

Former chief health officer-turned Governor Dr Jeannette Young today confirmed she tested positive to Covid.

For infectious diseases expert Dr Paul Griffin, whether public health measures including the mask mandate are reinstated is up to everyday Queenslanders.

“What happens from here is really up to us. If we can get our vaccine doses up, we have high rates of testing to find and treat cases and if we have enough people of high-risk voluntarily taking those extra measures then it’s likely we can keep control,” he said.

However, Dr Griffin said if the state continued being complacent, there was a chance these measures will be brought back into play.

“I’d like to think they won’t be required, but if they are then it might be something that comes back more broadly and then is reduced as we get a hold of things again,” he said.

“But again, I hope that’s not something that has to happen.”

The mask mandate was lifted for airports last month, but passengers are still required to wear them when on the plane.

In Queensland, masks are still required in healthcare settings, aged care, disability accommodation, prisons, detention centres, on public transport and in rideshares or taxis.

Close contacts are also still required to wear masks outdoors, as are those who are displaying Covid-19 symptoms.

More than 92 per cent of eligible Queenslanders have now received a double dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

It comes as vaccine developer Professor Paul Young has highlighted a left-of-centre side-effect of the virus.

The University of Queensland scientist, who is recovering from Covid, has posted a photo of himself on Twitter showing that he has a nasty eye problem, with redness and blistering.

Prof Young said after doing some research he has found that ocular complications from Covid “is a thing”.

A study published by the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine in Germany found that one in 10 people experience at least one eye problem such as dryness, redness, blurred vision and sensitivity to light.

Conjunctivitis could also appear.

Professor Paul Young and, inset, a close-up of his eye following his diagnosis with Covid-19

Covid-19 is well known for infecting the lungs and other vital organs but this eye problem has taken even Prof Young by surprise.

The Brisbane man headed the team at UQ that worked tirelessly to come up with a lifesaving Covid-19 vaccine early in the pandemic.

Unfortunately the homegrown vaccine did not go on to be developed after human trials returned false positive HIV test results.