Outbreak surge in seven days: The regions recording biggest Covid spikes

Covid outbreaks in more than a dozen Queensland regions have doubled in just seven days with new data pinpointing the fastest growing hotspots in the state. SEE THE FULL LIST

Coronavirus outbreaks in more than a dozen Queensland council areas doubled in size in just days new analysis of government data has revealed, pinpointing the fastest growing hotspots in the state.

It comes as Queensland recorded its highest single-day death toll in the state since the pandemic began, with seven new deaths - all people in their 80s or older.

The state recorded 15,122 new Covid-19 cases as at 7pm on January 16.

New analysis of government data shows the Covid-19 outbreak on the Sunshine Coast and in Goondiwindi were among the fastest growing in the state.

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In the seven days to January 11, nearly 4000 Covid-19 cases were recorded on the Sunshine Coast—a 60 per cent increase compared to the 1616 cases recorded in the previous week.

Goondiwindi, which has the highest vaccination rate in the state, recorded 100 cases in a week—up from just 16 the week before.

A Covid-19 outbreak in the Gold Coast local government area, where the double vaccination rate is 87.1 per cent, doubled from 6100 in the first week of January to 12,111 between January 5 and January 11.

Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard on Monday said he expected the Gold Coast would reach its peak “in the next week or so” and Brisbane would follow a few days later.

Other council areas where Covid-19 cases doubled from week-to-week included Mackay (500 cases to 997 cases), Isaac (59 cases to 133 cases), Scenic Rim regional (97 cases to 214 cases).

Some council areas recorded a week-on-week dip in reported Covid-19 cases, including Hinchinbrook Shire where the number of cases in the seven days to January 11 was 21, compared to the 59 cases recorded the week before.

Cases have increased by 50 per cent on the Gold Coast in the past week. Photo: Dan Peled

Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council, which recorded 74 cases between December 29 and January 4, recorded 26 cases the next week.

Dr Gerrard on Monday warned the unvaccinated were “24 times more likely” to end up in intensive care than someone who had had all three jabs.

A total of 702 people were in hospitals, with 47 in ICU and 15 people on ventilators.