Gympie Covid hub poised to open as Qld outbreak gets worse

About 800,000 Covid vaccinations have been carried out in Queensland, but Gympie’s population remains at high risk with only one in five people vaccinated.

Gympie residents are being urged to book for a Covid vaccine shot at the new Civic Centre hub opening next week amid confirmation from Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young there has been a new outbreak of the Delta strain in the state.

Gympie residents are being urged to book in their Covid vaccinations at the new hub as the state grapples with the threat of a new outbreak.

Queensland Health has called on Gympie region residents to make an appointment at the Civic Centre Covid hub, which will open 9am Tuesday, with only one in five Gympie and Sunshine Coast Health District residents vaccinated against the virus.

chief health officer Jeannette Young on Friday implored all Queenslanders exhibiting any sign of Covid to get tested, in the wake of the Delta variant outbreak which has links to Hervey Bay, Brisbane, Gladstone and Longreach.

A Brisbane flight attendant has tested positive to the Delta strain; the same strain that is wreaking havoc in New South Wales. She was on six separate flights between Brisbane, Longreach, Hervey Bay and Gladstone.

Acting Premier Steven Miles said it was imperative everyone on those flights was tracked down.

“It is absolutely urgent that we get every passenger on those flights tested as soon as possible,” Mr Miles said.

The vaccination hub opens Tuesday July 27. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

“Given this is some time ago, if we can get all of the passengers tested, that will give a picture of whether there is a greater risk here than we’re currently aware of.”

Dr Young said the flight attendant’s test was a new outbreak.

Without the new Gympie Covid hub, the earliest available appointments for Gympie residents remain on the Sunshine Coast, with Noosa Heads Medical and Maple St Surgery at Cooroy able to take booking within two days time.

The Henry Street medical centre also recently acquired several hundred Pfizer vaccines.

The Ochre Medical Centre at Eumundi had bookings available within the week, and the Tewantin medical Centre was the last option on the Federal Government website with a 30 day wait.

The Sunshine Coast Respiratory Clinic had “none currently available”.

Acting Premier Steven Miles says it is urgent anyone on the affected flights be tested immediately. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

GP Clinics across the region remain eligible to give vaccinations, but no time frames were listed on the website

Once open Gympie’s hub will run 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, until the end of October.

Sunshine Coast Health’s COVID-19 vaccination lead and said: “We’re pleased to be able to provide this service to the Gympie region to enhance their access to the free COVID-19 vaccine.

“This new centre is an important part of our fight against COVID-19 and I encourage all eligible residents to register now for their vaccination,” Sunshine Coast Health and Hospital Service Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery Suzanne Metcalf said.

“To date, Sunshine Coast Health has administered more than 75,000 vaccinations as locals come forward to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

Bookings can be made here.