7K new Covid cases as state calls on feds for 50/50 public health split

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath has urged the federal government to include a 50/50 split toward the cost of running Queensland’s public health system, as 7738 new Covid cases are recorded.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath has urged the federal government to include a 50/50 split toward the cost of running Queensland’s public health system in Tuesday night’s budget.

Speaking at a press conference this morning alongside Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick, Ms D’Ath revealed there was 7738 new Covid cases recorded overnight. Sadly one person died.

Ms D’Ath said while Queensland was continuing to record high numbers, cases seemed to be plateauing.

“We don’t know what that means as far as the current wave at the moment but it’s good to see those numbers have come down in the past couple of days,” she said during a press conference at the Prince Charles Hospital.

Public hospitals were caring for 264 people while 20 people were being cared for in private hospitals.

Ms D’Ath said nurses and clinicians were also giving virtual care to 2455 people in their homes.

“As of Friday, we had 2727 health workers who are furloughed at the moment - not able to come to work because they are either positive themselves or close contacts needing to quarantine,” she said.

Ms D’Ath said she was concerned that number remained high, putting pressure on the healthcare system.

There were 9404 cases reported on Saturday, slightly down from the 9730 reported on Friday.

Ms D’Ath said Queensland currently funds 55 per cent of the cost of running public health facilities.

“Increasing the Fed $ means we can create more beds, hire more frontline staff and deliver more services,” Ms D’Ath wrote on social media.

“We know that our hospitals are only getting busier because of the lack of affordable, bulk-billing GPs, rising private health costs and Scott Morrison’s failure to deliver proper funding for our hospitals.”