Flu cases spike as industries grapple with staff shortages

Exhausted business owners are grappling with significant shortages in the workforce as flu cases spike by more than 850 per cent in just three weeks. WHERE CASES ARE SURGING

Flu cases in Queensland have seen an 850 per cent increase in just three weeks as industry experts say workforces are suffering from “significant” staff shortages.

Free flu jabs were announced earlier this week as a way of “proactively” tackling the emerging flu outbreak, according to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

The outbreak has seen Queensland report 2223 new cases of the flu in seven days, which included 518 in the Metro South Health and Hospital Service region, 433 in Metro South and 327 in the Gold Coast.

Meanwhile, Townsville saw case numbers over 200 in the week to May 15, which was up from eight just three weeks prior.

West Moreton also saw a major jump from five cases in the week to April 24 to 143 cases three weeks later.

According to Queensland Health’s latest figures, the state’s total case numbers two weeks ago were almost ten times the number that was recorded just three weeks prior increasing from 232 in a week to over 2000.

The current outbreak is hitting a number of industries hard, especially in retail where income is directly attached to going in store to work, according to Director of National Retailers Association Dominique Lamb.

“There’s been a significant shortage. We just don’t have enough workers, there’s no doubt about that,” Ms Lamb said.

“Whether it’s Covid, the flu or a lack of immigration, there’s absolutely a shortage of workers. It’s just one more thing that we’re grappling with.”

Director of the National Retail Association Dominique Lamb. Picture: Tara Croser

With Queenslanders being significantly hit this season, Ms Lamb said some small businesses are struggling to maintain regular operating hours.

“It’s certainly not making anything easier. Our small businesses are absolutely feeling fatigue and they are worried,” she said.

“The flu outbreak is making people nervous. They’re just trying to stay open.”

The Queensland Government is continuing to push for free flu jabs at participating pharmacies and GP clinics around the state.

However, the addition of acute flu clinics in state hospitals is yet to be implemented with a Queensland Health spokeswoman saying it was one of the strategies the team was currently investigating.