Qld Covid-19 update: Qld records 784 new cases of Covid-19

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has confirmed that the day-five test for arrivals to Queensland could soon change to a rapid antigen test.

Day-five PCR tests for interstate travellers could soon by scrapped as bookings open for Queensland children to get their Covid-19 vaccination.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced today the Government would be bolstering staff numbers at the state’s testing centres following days of long lines at clinics.

She admitted officials had never anticipated that 400,000 people would apply to enter the state when borders reopened earlier this month.

Interstate travellers entering Queensland from hot spots must currently undertake a PCR test at a clinic on day five of their visit to the Sunshine State.

But Ms Palaszczuk confirmed that the day-five test could soon change to a rapid antigen test, promising to provide more details in the next 24 to 48 hours.

“I think no one estimated 400,000 people would apply to come to Queensland,” the Premier said.

“As the world is moving towards rapid antigen tests it is something that we are closely looking at and we will be guided by the chief health officer.”

Interstate travellers also must have evidence of a negative CPR test 72 hours before entering Queensland – but Ms Palaszczuk again today signalled that could also change to a rapid antigen test, with a decision to be made by January 1.

“We’re just working out how that can actually get administered,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Testing capacities in the Metro North, Metro South, Gold Coast and Cairns regions are set to be bolstered from today.

Covid-19 testing lines at the Chermside Community Health Centre on Christmas Day. Picture: John Gass

Meanwhile, the Premier announced bookings for children aged 5 to 11 to get their vaccine would open from December 27 ahead of school resuming after the summer holidays.

Children won’t be able to get the vaccine though until January 10.

“We’ve seen an excellent uptake in vaccination from children aged 12 to 15 and we expect a similar positive response from parents of younger kids,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Children will receive two doses, administered eight weeks apart.

Earlier, Queensland has recorded 784 new cases of Covid-19, with the State Government now opening bookings for under-12s to get a coronavirus vaccine.

There are four people in hospital, with one – an 85-year-old man – described as moderately to severely unwell. He is not in intensive care.

Ms Palaszczuk said the health system was coping well with Omicron outbreaks, but that the government would monitor the situation carefully.

A total of 72 health and hospital staff have now tested positive to Covid-19, with 350 in quarantine.

Ms Palaszczuk said bookings for vaccinations for under-12s would begin today and that it was important for as many children as possible to get the vaccine before school goes back.

“Children get vaccinated for a whole range of different diseases, we start getting vaccinated as soon as we are born,” she said, urging parents to get their children jabbed.

She reassured there had been “extensive” tests done before it was given the go-ahead and that there was no plan to change the vaccine mandate to include children.

Children can also go to GPs and pharmacies to receive their small dose of vaccine.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk addresses the media today as Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard looks on. Picture: Jerad Williams

The Premier said she was “really concerned” about people who had not been vaccinated at all.

“Omicron is very, very contagious, and evidence shows that the booster is that extra layer of protection,” she said.

“Full vaccine coverage will mean having your first dose, having your second dose, and having your booster.”

Ms Palaszczuk said the government was also boosting testing capacity in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Cairns, adding more staff.

It comes as people face long waits to get Covid tests amid a spike in cases over the past few days, and even longer waits for their results.

Ms Palaszczuk said “no-one” estimated 400,000 people would apply to come to Queensland.

That’s despite warnings from police in the days prior to borders reopening that the state “could see up to 60,000 vehicles (crossing into Queensland) per day”.

“They knew they had to adhere to having the PCR test,” she said. “As the world is moving towards rapid antigen tests, that is something we are closely looking at.”

Ms Palaszczuk said that health authorities were looking “very carefully” at the mandatory day five Covid-19 test PCR.

She said that they were looking at whether that could be a rapid antigen test instead, and an update would be ready in 48 to 72 hours.

She said that the 400,000 border passes came primarily from people from Sydney and Melbourne.

Queensland recorded 714 new cases of Covid-19 on Boxing Day, a slight drop from the day before because of reduced testing on Christmas Day.

Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard said there were now more than 3600 active cases in the Sunshine State.

“The vaccines appear to be working,” Dr Gerrard said.

Dr Gerrard said people should be living their lives with the assumption that they could be exposed to the virus.

He strongly urged Queenslanders to book in for their booster shot, particularly the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.

Dr John Gerrard has urged people to get their Covid-19 booster shots when they are eligible. File picture: Richard Walker

Ms Palaszczuk acknowledged long lines at testing clinics, with some private testing clinics had closed over the Christmas and New Years period.

“Once we get through New Years, everything will get back to normal,” she said.

Dr Gerrard said that Queensland’s long lines for testing are “not unique”.

“With the Omicron outbreak around the world, there are queues for testing on every continent.”

He said it was “the right decision” to open the Queensland borders on December 13.

“It was the right thing to do, to allow families to reunite for Christmas.”

“We couldn’t have predicted Omicron, no one did.”

New South Wales has today reinstated a number of Covid restrictions, including check-ins. It comes as there 6324 new cases and a number of deaths.

Victoria has recorded 1999 new Covid-19 cases today.

Long lines are building at testing locations around Brisbane already this morning.

Paddington resident Owen Mayhew was in the line at the RBWH testing clinic before it opened at 7.30am this morning.

Mr Mayhew said he was lining up for his day 5 test after a brief visit to NSW last week for a joint 70th birthday.

“I came to this clinic because it’s relatively local – we tried to get in early but I’ve been in the line for an hour and a half and probably have another 30 minutes to go,” he said.

“I flew into Queensland on the 20th but even the 72-hour test was a struggle,” he said.

Leanne Piggott said she lined up for the Covid Car Collection Centre in Herston on Sunday about 10.30am but was told to “turn around and go home”.

Ms Piggott said she then tried the testing clinic at Prince Charles Hospital where “200 cars were lined up”.

“I’m a close contact of someone who flew from Queensland to South Australia last Thursday but then tested positive on Christmas Day,” she said.

The drive-through clinic in Herston opens at 9am but Ms Piggott said she was in the line about 7.25am on Monday.