Covid-19 update: Case numbers surge to 119 in Ipswich

More than 100 people across Ipswich have contracted Covid-19 as the Omicron variant dominates Queensland ahead of the holiday season. Find out your nearest testing clinic open over the break.

Ipswich’s total number of Covid-19 cases has risen to 119 as interstate residents enter Queensland in droves for Christmas.

Of those cases, 46 were acquired locally from known cases, 32 were acquired overseas, two were acquired interstate, and 32 are still under investigation.

Queensland Health is yet to determine the origin of seven locally acquired cases.

This comes as the state breaks its daily Covid-19 record with 589 fresh cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of active cases to more than 1380.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath confirmed on Friday morning that 90.25 per cent of Queenslanders had received their first dose of the vaccine and 85.65 per cent had received their second dose.

Several exposure sites have been listed across Ipswich in the last two weeks, including Chemist Warehouse on South St between 11am and 7pm on December 10 and 9am and 5pm on December 11, and the main entrance of Ipswich Courthouse between 11.40am and 11.55am on December 14.

The indoor dining area of Yamanto Tavern between 6.30pm and 7.45pm on December 13 and Redbank Plains Family Health Centre between 10.40am and 11.40am on December 14 are also considered exposure sites.

Each location was listed by Queensland Health as a ‘casual contact’ location, meaning those who visited at the relevant times must immediately travel by private transport home to quarantine, get tested as soon as possible, and continue to quarantine until receiving a negative result.

As of Friday, 9189 people in the West Moreton region have been issued quarantine notices. More than 100 people are currently quarantining.

The Yamanto Tavern was listed as a ‘casual contact’ location between 6.30pm and 7.45pm on Monday December 13. Picture: David Nielsen

Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said yesterday the Omicron variant of the virus was becoming dominant in Queensland and, although it was more contagious than previous strains, it was also milder.

“The early information we’re getting is it seems to be a little milder and certainly the vaccine is protective,” he said.

He suggested the spread of the virus was inevitable and necessary.

“In order for us to go from the pandemic phase to an endemic phase, the virus has to be widespread,” Dr Gerrard said.

“You will all have to develop immunity and there’s two ways you can do that – by being vaccinated or getting infected.”

Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard delivered a Covid-19 update at a press conference this week. Picture: John Gass

As many workplaces wind down over the Christmas break, so to do Ipswich’s testing and vaccination clinics.

Vaccinations can still be accessed through pharmacies, GPs, and some Queensland Health hubs, but with revised opening times.

Ipswich CBD Covid-19 vaccination clinic opening hours:

• Friday 24 December 2021 – 8am to 4pm
• Saturday 25 December 2021 – Closed
• Sunday 26 December 2021 – Closed
• Monday 27 December 2021 – Closed
• Tuesday 28 December 2021 – Closed
• Wednesday 29 December 2021 – 8am to 4pm
• Thursday 30 December 2021 – 11.30am to 7pm
• Friday 31 December 2021 – 8am to 4pm
• Saturday 1 January 2022 – Closed
• Sunday 2 January 2022 – Closed
• Monday 3 January 2022 – Closed

A West Moreton Health spokeswoman said standard hours of 8am to 4pm will resume from January 4, except Tuesday and Thursday hours will change to 11.30am to 7pm.

“Please do not arrive in the last hour before closing. Families are encouraged to dress for the weather and bring water and snacks,” she said.

Ipswich residents can receive their Covid-19 and booster shots on December 30 at Laidley Hospital between 8.30am and 11.30am or Gatton Hospital between 1pm and 3pm.

From now until December 26, Ipswich’s Court Street Fever Clinic is open for Covid-19 testing between 8.30am and 2pm.

As at Friday, a total of 124,023 Covid-19 vaccination doses have been administered in the West Moreton region.