Qld cluster swells to 89, as 10 new cases recorded

Queensland authorites remain positive that the current lockdown is working, after 10 new locally acquired cases of Covid-19 were recorded overnight - the majority already in isolation.

Queensland has recorded 10 new cases of Covid-19 overnight. Eight were already in quarantine but two were infectious in the community for one day.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said all 10 cases were linked to the Indooroopilly cluster.

Five are household contacts of Ironside State School cases, three are household contacts of cases from Indooroopilly SHS, while two are household contacts from Brisbane Boys Grammar.

Mr Miles said the latest results were very encouraging and that masks had been valuable in controlling the spread.

“I’ve never been more proud to be a Queenslander,” he said.

“All the indications are it’s working.”

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

But Mr Miles said it was too soon to say whether restrictions would be eased on Sunday.

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said it was likely a decision about the lockdown ending would not be made until Sunday morning.

Dr Young also reiterated how important masks were, saying they were “so critical with this Delta variant” and that we could be wearing them for a long time to come.

“Hopefully it won’t be through to Christmas, but it might be,” she said.

Dr Young said the Education Department had sourced masks that could fit smaller children.

She said officials were considering a pilot program to roll out masks in primary schools among the older year levels.

“It might end up being those older children in primary school, but we will work it through,” Dr Young said.

There are now more than 8000 people in home quarantine after visiting exposure sites, while 48,028 tests were carried out in the past 24 hours.

Mr Miles confirmed Victoria would now be classified as a hotspot, with anyone travelling from the Garden State into Queensland from 1am Saturday to go into hotel quarantine.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said community pharmacies across the southeast will come online today to begin giving vaccinations.

Ms D’Ath said she was going to get her second dose of AstraZeneca at a pharmacist following the press conference.

“It just gives me an extra level of comfort in relation to this virus,” she said.

She reiterated that people should no longer wait 12 weeks between their first and second AstraZeneca dose, and should instead have their second dose after eight weeks.

She said almost 20 per cent of the Queensland population who are eligible were vaccinated now.

People in cars getting tested at a drive through Covid testing clinic in Bowen Hills earlier this week. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Dr Young was unable to say when under 40s would have wide access to Pfizer because supply was a Commonwealth issue.

She also said current national medical advice was very clear that younger people should now speak to their GP about whether they get AstraZeneca due to the risks of the current outbreak.

“The ATAGI advice is exceptionally clear and I have always followed it,” she said.

Queensland received the second highest number of vaccinations in Australia yesterday.

Almost 20 per cent of Queenslanders have now received both their vaccinations, while 39.1 per cent have received their first vaccination.

Mr Miles said public servant managers were being flexible wherever possible to ensure staff could get to vaccination appointments, but didn’t commit to giving public servants a day off in order to get vaccinated, as the Brisbane City Council and other private companies had announced.

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said flexible work arrangements were being used to ensure the state’s workers could be vaccinated.

“We encourage everyone to be vaccinated and they will be accommodated,” she said.

Meanwhile Paul Griffin’s report into an unvaccinated staff member at Prince Charles Hospital won’t be completed until August 20, after an extension was sought last night.

Ms D’Ath said she wasn’t aware why the extension had been sought to Professor Griffith’s work but she wasn’t surprised considering the current disruption to the hospital network due to the current outbreak.

“We will wait and see the report,” she said.

“We have committed to releasing it publicly and we will do that.”

But she said the government would have some time to consider its findings before its release.

Asked about Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s continued hotel quarantine, Mr Miles said the Premier was “counting down the minutes” to her release.

He also spoke about the costs of a dedicated quarantine site at Pinkenba, which are still being worked out. He said building costs would be covered by the Commonwealth

“The costs to us relate to policing and health care,” he said, adding that was already costing the state in regards to hotel quarantine.

Today’s update comes after Brisbane junior hockey clubs and officials were told to get tested and self isolate if they have symptoms after a junior player who competed on Saturday tested positive to the virus.

The game has not been listed as an exposure site as the player initially tested negative for Covid-19 when first tested on Sunday.

An email to Brisbane Women’s Hockey Association Clubs and Officials said, “we have just been advised that a player in the UQ vs Valley 13T2 game played at 10.30am at Easts Hockey Tiger Turf (EHTT) on Saturday 31st July, has today tested positive for COVID-19,” the email, which was sent of Thursday, said.

“Her initial test on Sunday was negative, so Qld Health will not be listing the EHTT as a hotspot at this time.”

The popular Sunshine Coast Marathon has been postponed this year.

The new case comes as the Sunshine Coast Marathon was postponed until October.

While hopes are high the lockdown will end on Sunday, the uncertainty has made it untenable for the marathon to continue in its scheduled time frame, organisers have confirmed.

The event brings thousands of competitors and spectators to the Sunshine Coast and was set for a bumper edition after the cancellation of the Gold Coast Marathon during the last lockdown a month ago.

Marathon director Jason Crowther said the event would be postponed until October 10.

“Atlas Events is aware the Sunshine Coast Marathon & Community Run Festival brings much needed economic benefits to our community, retailers, hospitality and suppliers especially after such a difficult and sustained period,” he said in a statement to stakeholders on Thursday night.

“Our event showcases the beautiful Sunshine Coast and it provides valuable tourism and employment opportunities.

“Health and safety of everyone involved is our number one priority, which is why we’ve made this decision and quickly made arrangements to move the event to Sunday 10th October.”