Queensland coronavirus: Nine new cases overnight, 943 total cases

Queensland’s top doctor has responded to the idea of creating herd immunity to COVID-19, as NSW looks to relax isolation restrictions in the coming weeks.

HERD immunity to COVID-19 is not on the cards for the Queensland population as the government looks to keep isolation measures in place

Director-General John Wakefield said herd immunity required a significant proportion of the population to become infected and then recover – a risky idea that would put a strain on the health system and potentially cost thousands of lives.

“Certainly we don’t want to end up in that situation like the UK, like the US, like Spain, like Italy to develop herd immunity,” Dr Wakefield said.

“The fantastic thing about Queensland and Australia more broadly is we’ve got some sense of control.

Coronavirus secret modelling shows nightmare scenario

Coronavirus secret modelling shows nightmare scenario

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“We have time, with the support of the community ... to see the outcomes from other countries, both Western Europe and the US, but also from Wuhan and China as they go through slowly opening up society.

“That will place Australia and Queensland in the best possible position to be able to see ... what’s on the other side.”

The advice came as it was revealed that three health staff at Queensland’s public hospitals have so far been diagnosed with COVID-19, with the most recent case being a nurse in her 20s.

Dr Wakefield said there were more than 800 ICU beds available across the public and private sector in Queensland, with there being capacity to add another 400.

“Our current modelling suggests we won’t need that,” he said.

“But we always prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said there was no discussion around relaxing the state’s strict social distancing measures at this stage.

“We’ve only just begun this journey and if we’re going to flatten the curve I need everybody to be listening and doing the right thing,” she said.

“We are looking at six months here of these types of restrictions in terms of the social distancing, the isolation, the quarantine.”

She would not comment on whether it was responsible for the NSW Government to be considering relaxing measures from as early as next month.

“We have a good story at the moment in Queensland, let’s keep it up,” she said.

Total cases rises to 943

Queensland recorded another nine coronavirus cases overnight, taking the state total to 943.

There are currently 35 people being treated for COVID-19 in Queensland hospitals, with 11 in intensive care units.

It comes as the state faces an Easter weekend in lockdown, with three popular holiday islands in SEQ locked out to the public.

Speaking on Today this morning, Premier Palaszczuk warned Queenslanders need to buckle up for six months of strict social distancing measures.

It comes after reports that NSW is considering relaxing restrictions as early as next month to help revive small business.

Cafes, gyms, pubs, clubs and tattoo parlours are among a raft of businesses across Queensland that have been forced to shut amid the coronavirus pandemic.

But Ms Palaszczuk told Today that Queensland was looking at six months of tough measures.

“Our border closures are obviously having an impact, the cruise ships leaving are having an impact but like I said we’re looking at six months here,” she said.

“I think everyone needs to buckle in for the six months and then let’s see how we go after that and what measures then we can look at.

“But we’ve got to flatten that curve.

“You don’t want to have our hospitals overrun like they are in other countries.”

The Premier said restrictions may be eased six or seven months down the track for different areas across the state.

“We’ve saved 30,000 Queenslanders”

Ms Palaszczuk said more than 30,000 Queenslanders could have died if the state hadn’t adopted tough measures to fight COVID-19.

As authorities again implored people to stay home this Easter, Ms Palaszczuk said that huge number kept her up at night.

“Over 30,000 could have died if we’d had a sharp spike and hadn’t flattened the curve,” she said.

“The reality is the virus is still here and we are still going to see loss of life.”

SCOMO CALLS US SECRETARY OF STATE:

SCOTT Morrison called US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo this morning to discuss efforts to combat both the health and economic effects of COVID-19.

The Prime Minister said they agreed on the importance of keeping supply chains open during the crisis as well as the need to support countries in the region especially in the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

“Australia and the US are good mates and we will continue to align our efforts as we work towards the recovery on the other side,” Mr Morrison tweeted after the call.

Mr Pompeo said cooperation between the US and Australia had been a key to overcoming “many shared challenges” and that was “equally true for the situation we face today”.

Mr Morrison told Parliament he had discussed similar issues with Korean President Moon Jae-In on Tuesday.

South Korean media reported that Mr Morrison told Mr Moon he wanted to import coronavirus test kits and other medical devices.

Mr Moon reportedly said South Korea would “actively consider” every possible support and asked for Mr Morrison’s “interest and support” so businesspeople could enter each country under certain conditions.