‘Take this very seriously’: 12 Covid deaths as Premier foreshadows next wave

More than 7500 new Covid cases and 12 more deaths have been recorded overnight, as the Queensland Premier urges some people to don masks and reveals planning is already underway for another possible Covid wave despite the current wave not yet peaking.

Queenslanders have been urged to reconsider their personal interactions with elderly relatives and to work from home if sick as the state records another 7517 new Covid cases and 12 more deaths.

There are 859 people in hospital with the virus, including 14 in ICU.

Speaking at a press conference this morning Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urged seniors to consider wearing masks in crowded places as the state rides the latest wave of the Coronavirus.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaking at a press conference on Wednesday morning. Picture: Tara Croser.

Ms Palaszczuk said the onus was on individuals to keep safe during the wave, which is expected to peak in late July or early August.

“I know there is a bit of community concern out there at the moment,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“I went and got my booster last night and I encourage everyone else to take this very seriously.”

The Premier urged seniors to wear their masks, especially when they were moving through crowded areas.

“So the onus is on the individual,” she said.

While the federal government has urged people to work from home where they can to stem the virus Ms Palaszczuk stopped short of issuing the same advice.

She said she was happy to consult the chief health officer on whether Queenslanders should be working from home.

“I think the key point here is if you are sick you should stay home,” she said.

“If you’re a young person and you have elderly grandparents, you might want to think about your interaction with those elderly grandparents during this wave.”

Ms Palaszczuk said she was not worried about the crowds ahead of tonight’s State of Origin because it was largely outdoors.

“It’s up to the individuals to take precautions,” she said.

“We always expected that the peak would be around winter. But what we could see is a further peak in September.

“I think it’s going to get to the stage in the next two or three weeks we may have to have a national cabinet meeting.”

There are currently more than 2300 health staff currently away from work due to illness, while Education Minister Grace Grace said teacher absences hadn’t been out of the ordinary this week, after classes resumed on Monday following the winter holidays.