Child under 10 among 16 deaths as 9k cases recorded

Another 9630 Covid cases and 16 deaths, including a child under the age of 10, have been recorded as the Health Minister doubles down on her criticism of the federal government’s handling of the booster vaccination and support for disability and indigenous services.

Another 9630 cases of Covid have been recorded in Queensland while 16 people have died, including a child under the age of 10, as Health Minister Yvette D’Ath doubled down on her criticism of the federal government’s handling the booster vaccination and support for disability and indigenous services.

Chief health officer John Gerrard said the child under 10 had a very serious and rare underlying medical condition.

Speaking from the Sunshine Coast this morning, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said news of the child’s death was “absolutely devastating”.

Of the 16 deaths, one was under 10, two were in their 50s, five in their 70s, three in their 80s and five in their 90s.

Six were unvaccinated, two had one dose of the vaccine, five were double vaccinated and two had booster shots.

The status of one person is unknown.

Seven of the deaths were in aged care.

Ms D’Ath said 218 deaths had now been recorded in Queensland since the Omicron wave in mid-December.

There are now 764 people being treated in hospital and Dr Gerrard said 74 people were now being treated in private hospitals.

“We’re seeing those numbers come down slowly,” Ms D’Ath said. “We will continue to ensure that our hospitals are prepared.”

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Dr Gerrard acknowledged the vaccine rate had slowed and said rates were “a little disappointing” just days before school resumes.

“I don’t want parents to be frightened, but if I had children going back to school I’d want them to be vaccinated,” he said.

The CHO said it was inevitable children would eventually be infected and said it was essential for everyone to get a jab if eligible.

About one third of Queenslanders are expected to be infected in this wave of Omicron, he said.

“The virus is going to be around for months, if not years,” Dr Gerrard said.

There are 89.63 per cent of people fully vaccinated and 92.03 per cent of people with a first dose.

More than 75 per cent of 12- to 15-year-olds have been vaccinated but the Minister said this was too low.

“School is going back next week, we really do encourage parents with young ones to bring them forward to get vaccinated,” she said.

“There is no reason why your children’s vaccination shouldn’t be at the same rate (as adults).”

Ms D’Ath said the state could be doing “far better” on the vaccination rate for 5-11 year-olds.

The Health Minister said the state’s immunisation rate was upwards of 95 per cent and that parents who were prepared to vaccinate their children for other conditions should come forward again.

“You should be willing to bring your child forward for one of these vaccinations,” she said.

Ms Palaszczuk slammed people on social media who were spreading misinformation about the virus.

“It’s not the right thing to do. It has serious consequences and the booster has that added layer of defence, especially in the elderly,” she said.

The Health Minister lashed out at the Commonwealth over accusations the states were attempting to shift blame about the booster vaccination and support for disability and indigenous services.

Ms D’Ath said it was the federal government’s responsibility to vaccinate aged care residents and those in vulnerable communities.

“If there’s any blame shifting going on here it is the Commonwealth, it is Scott Morrison and Greg Hunt,” she said.

Ms D’Ath on Tuesday laid all blame at the feet of the federal government following revelations that more than half of Queensland’s Covid-19 deaths since borders opened have been in aged care.

The latest government data shows of the 202 Covid-19 deaths in Queensland in the last two months, 107 have been residents in aged care.

Ms D’Ath, in a scathing press conference, alleged the federal government had effectively come running to the states seeking help to source hospital beds, PPE and rapid antigen tests for the aged care sector.

Queensland Ambulance Service Acting Commissioner Craig Emery has also defended taking annual leave earlier this month while the state approached the peak of the pandemic.

Mr Emery said he was “heavily engaged” with the organisation while he was away on annual leave.