Annastacia Palaszczuk announces 9546 new Covid-19 cases, 11 deaths in Queensland

Queensland has recorded 9546 new cases and 11 deaths, while hospitalisations have surged overnight and a state minister has contracted Covid-19.

Eleven people have died after contracting Covid-19 in Queensland while another 9546 new cases have been recorded, with hospitalisations surging overnight as Omicron cases peak.

The new cases include 3845 positive results from rapid antigen tests.

Meanwhile, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed Education Minister Grace Grace has Covid-19. Ms Grace tweeted about her experience shortly after the Covid-19 update.

“As you may have heard at the Premier’s press conference this morning, Michael and I have tested positive for COVID-19,” she tweeted.

“I am following the isolation rules and will be working from home this week, focusing on our back to school plan.

👋 As you may have heard at the Premier’s press conference this morning, Michael and I have tested positive for COVID-19.
 
I am following the isolation rules and will be working from home this week, focussing on our back to school plan. pic.twitter.com/yi5wzZzusv

— Grace Grace MP (@gracextwo) January 25, 2022

“Staff in my office and in the department are working very hard on this. It went to cabinet this week and now we are consulting with key stakeholders. A shout out to school staff that are working hard to prepare for the new term too.

“Thankfully we have both had our booster shots, which has provided an added layer of protection and reduced the effects of the virus. For anyone that’s due for their booster, I encourage you to book in as soon as possible!”

Ms Grace said she had undertaken two rapid antigen tests on Saturday after her husband woke up sick.

One of her tests was negative while the other was faintly positive.

But a PCR test has since confirmed she has Covid-19.

The Minister, who has been isolating at home since Saturday and who received her booster earlier this month, said she has mild symptoms including a “bit of a stuffy head”.

But she said she was feeling more lethargic today after working from home on Monday.

Ms Grace said she was glad she had received her booster shot.

Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said there were now 928 people in hospital – a ‘significant rise’ from the 878 yesterday as Queensland approaches its general Omicron peak.

Fifty-one people are in ICU and 13 are on ventilators

Of the 11 deaths, one person was in their 50s, one in their 60s, two in their 70s, three in their 80s and four in their 90s.

Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard. Picture: Liam Kidston

Four of those people were unvaccinated, one person had one dose, six were double vaccinated. None had their booster shot.

“The good news in most of the world … is we’ve seen a steady rise in cases over about one month followed by a steady fall,” Dr Gerrard said.

“That’s what we’re expecting to see in Queensland.”

Dr Gerrard said the peak was not the end – but the high point of the pandemic.

He said it was still unclear worldwide what would happen following the current wave.

Dr Gerrard said the peaks across Queensland regions would be back-to-back with the Gold Coast already at or just past its peak, Cairns is approaching its peak in the next few days, Brisbane is expected to peak next week and then Townsville the following week.

“It is surprising how quickly the virus spreads,” he said.

Ms Palaszczuk, who is in Townsville, said vaccination hubs will be open tomorrow on Australia Day.

Ms Palaszczuk said she had planned to make announcements about back to school later this week but Ms Grace had contracted Covid-19 and she wanted her to be back before revealing the plans.

Ms Grace is not in hospital and did not attend Cabinet on Monday with the Premier saying she phoned in.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is providing a Covid-19 update from Townsville today. Picture: Liam Kidston

Ms Palaszczuk said 92 per cent of Townsville residents have received their second dose and was sitting on the state average.

Just over 50 per cent of eligible people have now received their booster.

Ms Palaszczuk said hospitals were ready and hospitalisations were actually lower than authorities had expected.

The Premier said she would be releasing some data around this later this week.

It comes after 10,212 new cases and 13 deaths were recorded on Monday.