Queenslanders urged to ‘prepare now’ as third wave of Covid escalates

The state’s chief health officer is urging Queenslanders to “prepare now”, warning a third wave of Covid cases will only get worse in coming weeks.

Queensland’s third wave of Covid cases is now “well established” and will only get worse in coming weeks, according to chief health officer Dr John Gerrard.

It comes as the state reaches the peak of its wave of influenza, from which 40 people have died this year.

Dr Gerrard said health experts were bracing for around 1000 hospitalisations in coming weeks as the Covid peak hits.

This is what was experienced during the first wave earlier this year.

“If you are up to date with your vaccinations you are unlikely to be admitted to hospital,” Dr Gerrard said.

Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard. Picture: Liam Kidston

“This is not unique to Queensland.

“This is happening simultaneously around the world.”

Dr Gerrard warned the wave would get worse until at least the end of July – but perhaps into August.

“Either you or someone you know will be affected with this subvariant in coming weeks,” he said. “It’s important for you to prepare now

He said officials expected Covid hospitalisation rates to be “at least as bad” as what was experienced during the first wave in January.

“At this stage, it’s only early days, around the 1000 mark (for hospitalisations),” he said.

But Dr Gerrard said the number of public hospital inpatients had risen by 140 per cent over the last month.

He said that was due to the BA.4 and 5 subvariants which “are more dominant in Queensland”.

“We will not be implementing public health mandates such as mandating mask wearing,” he said.

But Dr Gerrard insisted hospitals would cope with the peak as he said private hospitals were still providing additional capacity as beds were required.

He said Queensland was likely at its influenza peak but experts don’t know how much longer it would last.

Dr Gerrard said the elderly and vulnerable people should seriously consider wearing a mask in crowded places until the end of August.

More than 2000 health staff are currently furloughed because of the pandemic with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealing 705 Queenslanders are being treated in hospital for Covid-19.

More than 100 people are also being treated in public hospitals for influenza.

But the Premier said it was great news that 710,000 people were now vaccinated against the flu.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: David Clark

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said there had been an “escalation” in the number of frontline staff unavailable to work because of Covid.

She also said Queensland was “progressing towards that peak in the first wave that we saw at the start of the year.”

“These are unprecedented times,” she said.

The Minister said the growing cases were putting pressure on hospitals as she urged everyone to get their vaccinations.

Meanwhile, a permanent Director-General for Queensland Health is yet to be appointed with Ms D’Ath saying processes were ongoing.