Covid cases breakdown by suburb as experts warn actual caseload could be 10-fold

Covid cases are rising, as the fourth wave takes hold, with mapping showing the worst-affected suburbs. But experts warn the real numbers could be 10 times higher. SEE THE MAP

More than a quarter of all the reported Covid-19 cases in the past two weeks have been found in Brisbane’s northern suburbs, but experts warn the real case load could be 10 times what’s being recorded.

As the state grapples with the fourth wave, which is set to reach its peak in the coming weeks, case numbers have climbed to more than 3500 in the past two weeks.

But while the caseload is significantly lower than previous waves, infectious diseases expert Dr Paul Griffin said the reality of the situation was much more dire.

“Our case numbers are so limited in terms of what people tell us because we know so many aren’t getting tested and those that are, aren’t reporting their results,” he said.

“The numbers we have now are an underestimate by five- or tenfold at the moment.”

Dr Griffin said it was difficult to project the trajectory of when the peak will hit, but said reducing the burden on hospitals was entirely up to the public’s use of measures like boosters, masks and antivirals.

“It has the potential to be manageable but it really will take all our tools,” he said.

The latest government data has shown more than 930 cases have been reported in the Metro North area between November 1 and November 15 as the government announced the state was entering a fourth wave.

There were 21 cases reported in Bribie Island in the two weeks, as well as 23 in Caboolture South and 21 in Rothwell to Kippa Ring.

There were also 883 cases reported in Metro South, including 17 in Capalaba and 15 in Wynnum.

In the Sunshine Coast, the Buderim region saw 27 cases across the two weeks, while the Maroochydore to Kuluin area had 21.

Cases were also high in the Gold Coast where there were 26 cases reported in Southport, north and south combined, 19 in Nerang to Mount Nathan and 17 in Labrador.

Toowoomba central, east and west saw a combined number of 25 cases in the two weeks, as did Ipswich in the east, north and central areas all together.

Meanwhile, in the Cairns and Hinterland region, where the Cairns Hospital was one of the four hospitals to reach a Tier 3 level yesterday, Redlynch had 15 cases in the week.