Covid Mackay: Total case numbers climb daily as contact tracing eases

From none to 565 active cases and more expected, we break down the timeline of Covid-19’s rise in the Mackay region and what steps to take if you test positive.

The state’s health units will pull back on Covid-19 contact tracing amid community concerns they won’t know they are exposed to positive cases.

The Mackay Hospital and Health Service had recorded 107 active cases as at December 29, with warnings numbers were expected to continue rising as the Omicron variant emerges as the dominant strain.

The number climed to 185 after 79 were confirmed on Thursday, December 30.

Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard said 80 per cent of Queensland’s active cases were of the more contagious variant, and was most dominant in the state than the rest of Australia.

And with cases expected to increase, Dr Gerrard has broken down the steps people should take if they test positive.

For people with mild symptoms, he said there were five steps they should take.

“The first thing you should do is isolate, and tell anyone who usually lives with you to get tested as soon as possible and also isolate.

“Secondly, you’ll receive a call or text from Queensland Health asking you five survey questions about your symptoms and your situation, so we can determine if you can care for yourself at home or if you need care in a hospital.

“Next, step three, is to tell the people you have been in contact with recently. It’s important they get tested as soon as possible and quarantine.

“The fourth step is to get the things you need, because you’ll most likely be isolating at home for up to 14 days. Arrange contactless delivery of food and medications by family or friends, or ordering online.

“And finally, the fifth step is to look after yourself by keeping a symptom diary, and keeping healthy and active at home, including actively looking after your mental wellbeing.

“If everyone follows these steps as their first actions when they’re notified they have COVID-19, it will help keep our emergency services available for emergencies.”

A person admitted to Mackay Base Hospital on December 28 had since been discharged, with the majority of cases being treated through virtual wards either through MBH or Townsville University Hospital.

And while the number of active cases continues to climb each day, contact tracing or exposure sites are expected to drop off as the state’s health authorities focus on treating the more serious cases and identifying hot spots.

Dr Gerrard said the changes had been made on Christmas Eve.

“This should have had some positive impact on the hospitality sector, I had hoped,” Dr Gerrard said.

“In broad terms in broad terms, we are pulling back to isolating those who are sick, and their immediate household contacts, that is the main group that we are contacting.

“So, the broader contact tracing is gradually being pulled back.”

Only venues of most concern including settings where vulnerable people may be infected are expected to be listed on the public tracing site going forward.

Local government area figures are routinely updated but not in real-time as health workers investigate cases in the region.

As at 2.30pm on December 29, the Mackay LGA had recorded 22 overseas acquired case with seven locally acquired.

One case was interstate acquired and another 19 were under investigation for a total of 49 cases.

Isaac LGA’s figures were two cases locally acquired with contact known, four under investigation for a total of six.

Whitsunday LGA’s figures were seven overseas acquired, three locally acquired, four locally acquired but with no known contact, and 34 under investigation for a total of 48 case.

The MHHS administered 233 vaccinations on December 28.