Central and Western Queensland Hospital Services reveal Covid-19 case numbers

Here are the confirmed number of Covid-19 cases for Central and Western Queensland overnight.

Nearly 200 cases of Covid-19 have been recorded across the Central Queensland and Central West Queensland regions in the past 24 hours, with significant increases in rural areas.

There were 173 new confirmed cases in Central Queensland residents alone, with the Rockhampton Regional Council area recording 43, Gladstone Regional Council area 64, Livingstone Shire 19 and Central Highlands 26.

In the Banana Shire Council area there were eight new cases recorded along with one in Woorabinda and a further 12 people with a CQ address who were diagnosed elsewhere.

At 8am Friday there were seven patients in Rockhampton Hospital Covid ward in a stable condition. The ward capacity is scalable, based on what’s needed.

Meanwhile, Central West Health reported 24 new cases overnight, after having only recorded four cases throughout the entire pandemic.

There was one case in Alpha, six in Barcaldine, four in Blackall, nine in Longreach and one in Winton

Three Central West residents who tested positive while holidaying outside the region are being managed at their holiday location accommodation by Central West Health.

All are being managed at home or in their private accommodation through a partnership between Central West Health, Metro North Hospital and Health Service and an external Commonwealth service provider.

The Central West Hospital and Health Service chief executive Mr Anthony West expected the real number of cases in the region may be greater than reported as positive persons with mild symptoms self-test and self-quarantine at home.

“Local transmission is now clearly evident in our communities and numbers can be expected to continue rising substantially,” he said.

“As such, Central West residents should be in no doubt that COVID-19 is well and truly present in our communities.

“Going forward, I cannot emphasise enough that the best thing people can do to protect themselves is to ensure they are fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine and that they have their booster dose when it comes due.

“We can’t eliminate COVID-19, but we will be better protected when vaccinated, particularly as community transmission increases.”

Mr West said that while being vaccinated would not prevent you getting COVID-19, vaccination has been proven to reduce the severity of the illness and help keep you out of hospital.

“Also wear masks as directed, practice social distancing and good hygiene, including frequent washing of hands with sanitiser and get tested if you have symptoms,” Mr West said.

“We are also urging people to rethink their need to be out and about in the community.

“Before going to visit someone who is vulnerable or attending a crowded venue, you should think carefully about the risk posed to yourself and to others.

“And remember, if you have any symptoms, no matter how mild, please get tested.

“Testing helps us quickly find as many cases in the community as possible and reduce the spread of Covid-19.”