Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announces three new Covid cases in Queensland

Queensland has recorded three new Covid cases overnight among unvaccinated travellers from Victoria, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced.

Three travellers from Victoria have tested positive for Covid-19 in hotel quarantine, prompting Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to ramp-up her pleas for people to get the jab.

Queensland recorded no community cases and three in hotel quarantine in the 24 hours to Thursday morning.

The three travellers were unvaccinated and from Victoria.

Ms Palaszczuk said it was further proof the virus would “hunt out the unvaccinated” and issued a renewed plea for people to get the jab amid reports in The Courier-Mail the state might not hit 90 per cent.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has issued a renewed plea for people to get vaccinated. Picture: Matt Roberts

“I understand people have concerns out there … can you please just go and sit down with your local GP,” she said.

“It is safe, it is effective and you don’t want to catch Covid

“Please, please, please go and get vaccinated.”

Ms Palaszczuk revealed the state’s vaccination rate was at 85.2 per cent first dose and 74.5 per cent double dose.

“We are steadily climbing up to that 90 per cent and we do need that 90 per cent as soon as possible because the virus will hunt out the unvaccinated,” she said.

Ms Palaszczuk said the state was still expected to hit 90 per cent by early January, with a more precise date expected once the state hits 80 per cent double dose.

“Fingers crossed everything is going really well,” she said.

Asked whether there was a back-up plan if the state did not hit 90 per cent, Ms Palaszczuk insisted the state was “on target”.

The Premier did not repeat her claim from Wednesday that the federal government “wanted to give Queensland Covid for Christmas”.

“What I say there is I look forward to working cooperatively with the federal government

I think everyone needs to work together,” she said.

Ms Palaszczuk would not respond to questions about confusion around PCR testing and the state’s relationship with the Commonwealth.

“We addressed all this yesterday, at length,” she said.

Acting chief health officer Peter Aitken. Picture: Liam Kidston

Acting chief health officer Peter Aiken said it was critical to stress that vaccinations were “our path out of here”, particularly in regional areas.

Speaking on vaccine hesitancy, Mr Aitken said that there was a group that remained, but had seen a “reduction in hesitancy in recent times.”

Dr Aitken said that the Covid outbreak up north seemed to be confined in and southwest of Katherine.

He said that the issue in Robertson River seemed to have stabled, which was “good news” as they were a vulnerable community.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles again confirmed that the cost of PCR tests would be covered by the federal government.

“Greg Hunt has clarified that and gladly put the matter to bed,” he said.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles. Picture: Dan Peled

Mr Miles said requiring arrivals to Queensland to get a PCR test “wasn’t a new decision” from the state government.

“We have always said that we will provide testing in Queensland,” he said.

“But we don’t provide testing in New South Wales or Victoria, just like we don’t in Europe.”

Mr Miles addressed claims that paramedics and health workers are “burnt out” from an unprecedented number of people presenting to hospitals.

“Our paramedics and health workers have done a great job, the rate of stretcher time has improved despite an increase in the number of people presenting to hospital and calling an ambulance,” he said.

“But of course we understand our workers are under great stress and appreciate their efforts.”

He said that there was a “whole range” of initiatives in place and under way to help.