Cairns Covid: Far North expected to peak after South East Queensland near Christmas
A leading health expert has warned of when the Covid fourth wave will reach its peak in the Far North as the region prepares for its possible impacts.
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A leading Far North health expert has warned the Covid fourth wave will peak after South-East Queensland, most likely near Christmas.
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service executive director of medical services Dr Don Mackie said the Far North would probably peak after the rest of Queensland, most likely after December 12-19.
Dr Mackie said so far the region had recorded about 34 new cases daily in the past seven days while across Queensland the number of active cases spiked to 7130 on Friday.
“We know people are not rat testing so those figures are probably an underestimate,” he said.
Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said the peak in Queensland would most likely be at the beginning of December but based off other countries it would be a shorter and sharper wave.
“It might be a bit later, but again that will be a consequence of people travelling; this is a busy time,” Dr Mackie said.
“People are coming up enjoying the end of the dry season, and with Christmas coming up, if we are behind the south-east it might not be far behind.”
Dr Mackie said there were eight people in Cairns Hospital and one in hospital on the Tablelands which was why he encouraged people to wear masks and get vaccinated.
“We have the vaccines, they have been effective at helping suppress the strains that we’ve had already; some of the efficacy around new strains is uncertain,” he said.
“But it still remains an appropriate thing that people should get boosted.”
Dr Mackie said the emergency department at Cairns Hospital had been inundated over the past week but not just from Covid.
While the numbers have started to increase, some businesses believe the measures they have in place will suffice.
NOA owner Sam Byrd said their measures would not change.
“From our point of view, everyone’s pretty well knowledgeable regardless of the second, third or fourth wave,” he said.
“Everyone has acknowledged Covid is here. Our measures haven’t changed — we have hand sanitisers throughout and there are measures in place.
“The measures didn’t leave once we came out of the wave. It’s things we will continue to do living with Covid now, especially with restaurants. We have to be aware and be knowledgeable in terms of keeping everyone safe.”
Mucho Love owner Micaela Lukac said the business was going to put plans in place if the situation got worse.
“I think at the moment we are seeing, keeping an eye on what’s happening. It’s very unpredictable,” Ms Lukac said.
“A big advantage for us is we have a big outdoor area so we can seat people outside and inside and we have space for the tables.
“A plan would be if we need to take tables out, if we need to social distance.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Cairns Covid: Far North expected to peak after South East Queensland near Christmas
Far North MPs use chainsaw to flag possible deep cuts to public sector
A full throttle assault on a mock sign may seem like a joke but Member for Cairns Michael Healy insists he’s deadly serious about keeping public assets and jobs in the Far North.
Alleged train rock attack teen was out on bail
A teen who was out on bail after allegedly launching stones at cars with a slingshot has made another bid for bail after being charged with fracturing a five-year-old boy’s head with a “tennis ball-sized” rock.