Wards could be overwhelmed with Covid patients when Borders open

One of Queensland’s leading infectious disease experts fears the state’s already at-capacity health system will collapse when borders open and Covid is on the move.

A Queensland infectious disease expert fears not enough planning has gone into making sure the state’s “already overwhelmed” hospitals are ready for the rise in Covid cases when the vaccination target is hit and the borders open.

“We know that we will be heading into a tough period where the virus is on the move and Queensland can’t be caught off-guard when people need a hospital bed,” Assoc Prof Paul Griffin said.

Dr Paul Griffin.

“When we hit 80 per cent vaccination rate the reality is that 20 per cent of the population will not be protected — that is a lot of people at high risk of hospitalisation and possible ICU.

“We have witnessed awful scenes of hospitals in crisis overseas and we don’t want that

“We already know that our hospitals are working at capacity.

“We need preparation and high vaccination rates for this, the next and level of Covid management.

“We have vaccinations that will help us through let’s not waste them.”

The nation’s intensive care doctors have previously flagged their concern about the looming strain on their workforce, especially if the surge in severe cases last for many months.