Queensland records 59 new Covid cases as Griffith University graduation becomes Omicron ‘cluster of concern’

Queensland has recorded 59 new cases of Covid, with 43 cases of Omicron now confirmed. It comes as authorities track an “Omicron cluster of concern” involving more than 2600 people.

Queensland has recorded 59 new cases of Covid while authorities are tracking an “Omicron cluster of concern” involving 2675 people.

The cluster is linked to a graduation ceremony of Griffith University nursing and paramedic students held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Monday last week.

Fifteen cases of Omicron have been linked to the event already, with more expected.

“Some of these cases have been identified as Omicron so it’s likely the whole episode will be an Omicron cluster,” chief health officer Dr John Gerrard said.

Dr Gerrard said the event had been listed as a casual contact event and anyone who attended is being asked to get a Covid test and isolate until they get a negative result.

Anyone at the centre who did not attend the event are urged to get tested, but do not have to isolate.

Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard. Picture: Adam Head

Of Queensland’s 59 new cases, 49 were locally acquired, with 16 linked to a known case while 33 cases are under investigation.

The local cases were detected in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Townsville.

Nine of the cases were interstate acquired while one was overseas acquired.

There are currently 197 active cases in Queensland.

Dr Gerrard said there were 43 confirmed cases of Omicron now in Queensland, including 13 yesterday.

He said based on current trends, he expected cases to double every 48 hours.

“The trend is likely to continue as we head into January,” Dr Gerrard said.

He said the increasing numbers of cases made it more difficult to trace where people had acquired Covid-19.

Dr Gerard said there was only one patient who was “moderately” unwell from Covid-19 and was unvaccinated. He said there was no one with Covid-19 in intensive care.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Adam Head

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said there had been 13,395 Covid tests in the past 24 hours, with the state at 84.51 per cent fully vaccinated.

The Premier said she strongly recommended wearing masks in indoor settings, but it would not be mandated.

“If you’re going to a cinema, if you’re going to a theatre, wear a mask even though it’s not necessarily mandated,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

She urged people travelling into Queensland to get their day five test.

“It is really important, it doesn’t take long.”

Ms Palaszczuk said from the evidence she had seen people were following the rules and getting their day five test.

Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said there had been “very good”compliance in mask wearing, but 172 were handed out by police on Sunday.

One person was fined for not wearing a mask.

He said 334 businesses were checked for compliance yesterday.