Qld experiencing community transmission of pandemic coronavirus across the state

Queensland’s Chief Health Officer has issued a stark warning that the state’s coronavirus outbreak is entering a significant new phase, with community transmission of the virus now occurring as the state’s case total hits 900. SEE THE REGIONAL BREAKDOWN

QUEENSLAND is starting to experience community transmission of pandemic coronavirus with public health units being unable to identify the source of infection for 30 cases across the state.

Queensland’s cases have increased by 27 overnight, taking the state’s tally to 900 – a jump of just 3 per cent.

This coronavirus article is unlocked and free to read in the interest of community health and safety. For full access to our journalism - and to download the digital edition of the newspaper as it is printed every day - subscribe here or couriermail.com.au/subscribe

“Our cases that we are unable to find the original source of the infection are in all parts of the state so although there is some limited community transmission it is in the very early stages,” the state’s Chief Health Officer, Jeannette Young, said.

SHOCKING PICS OF CROWD PACKED INTO BRISBANE MARKET

‘FIRST SIGNS OF FLATTENING’: KEY POINTS YOU NEED TO KNOW

BREASTSCREEN QLD SUSPENDS ROUTINE MAMMOGRAMS

QLD PLANS TO PROTECT INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES DURING PANDEMIC

Health Minister Steven Miles said 56 people were being treated in Queensland hospitals with COVID-19, including eight in intensive care units. Six people are on ventilators.

Mr Miles said the state had completed more than 56,000 tests for the novel coronavirus, with a positive rate of about 1.6 per cent.

Queensland cases have increased by 44 per cent in the past seven days, compared to a 182 per cent increase the previous week, showing border control, quarantine and social distancing measures are working to contain the spread of the virus.

Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles, with his Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young. Photo: Tony Martin

The Queensland cases make up less than seven per cent of the 435 cases across Australia where health authorities have been unable to determine how the person contracted the virus.

Community transmission is much more prevalent in NSW and Victoria.

Dr Young said most cases of infection in Queensland were still occurring in overseas travellers.

She said Queensland had “many advantages” in combating the impact of the virus.

“We’re such a dispersed, spread-out state,” Dr Young said. “That’s often a disadvantage but in this case, it’s very, very much an advantage, which means that we won’t see the peak of the impact of this virus across the whole state at the same time.

“We’ll be able to provide support within the state whenever it’s needed. We’ve … put in place four additional jets that we have on standby so we can move people rapidly around the state to assist with that.”

The virus has already started impacting private aged care facilities in Queensland.

Federal Government figures show 25 aged care services in Queensland, NSW, Western Australia, Tasmania and Victoria have recorded 51 infections among residents and staff.

The Federal Health Department would give no details about how many Queensland aged care homes were impacted or how many residents were involved.

“Given the rapidly changing circumstances, supporting aged care services and protecting our older Australians and the workers providing essential care and services is our priority during this extraordinary time,” a spokesman said.

“The Department of Health and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner are working closely with aged care services who have care recipients and/or staff who are COVID-19 positive to ensure they have the resources, staff and personal protective equipment.”

Some aged care facilities in Queensland have gone into complete lockdown to protect residents, not even allowing family members of residents to visit.