Cherbourg Covid: Cases jump to infections, spreads to Kingaroy, Nanango

Covid rates in the vulnerable indigenous community have doubled again overnight as the virus spreads to multiple towns in the Burnett. FULL DETAILS:

Covid numbers in the vulnerable indigenous community of Cherbourg have exploded with more than a dozen new cases detected in the town.

Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council confirmed on Saturday morning that at least 16 new cases had been detected, bringing the cluster to 30 cases so far.

Cases have also now been detected in the townships of Kingaroy, Murgon and Nanango.

The council has reminded residents that vaccinations are occuring daily at the CRAICCHS clinic.

With the growing numbers expecting to continue to rise, Cherbourg residents are being prioritised for testing and vaccinations.

Authorities have insisted the community will not be locked down despite the rise in cases, citing residents doing the right thing and limiting movements.

Cherbourg

Cherbourg Mayor Elvie Sandow said the community northwest of Brisbane was scared and “trying to get their head around it” as residents rushed to get tested, donned face masks and incorporated social distancing.

“The first case we had was a lady who is actually double-vaccinated, so she’s not very sick at all and she’s isolating,” Ms Sandow said.

Mr Zala said on Thursday that residents were treating the virus seriously and preparing as best they could.

“The feeling is really good. Anyone who’s got symptoms they’re going to get tested, people are staying home, getting the groceries stocked up and they’re limiting their movements at the moment,” Mr Zala said.

“They’re doing the right thing.”

Cherbourg Mayor Elvie Sandow with CEO Chatur Zala.

With the responsibility to enforce the stay-at-home directions falling on local government, Ms Sandow said she would not be imposing a lockdown.

“I wouldn’t like to, because it wouldn’t help with our peoples’ mental health,” she told The Courier Mail.

“It’s up to us as individual mayors and councillors, and (Dr Gerrard) is doing that because he knows that we know what is best for our community.

“When we had a lockdown back in March last year, it wasn’t very good at all for our community and our suicide rate was up.”

The predominantly indigenous township of Palm Island took delivery of the temporary morgue on Wednesday, as the explosion of Omicron across the state threatens the undervaccinated community.

Local Disaster Management Group Chair Mayor Mislam Sam said the temporary morgue was the starkest reminder yet that residents are at serious risk of illness and death from Covid.

Testing is available at Cherbourg Hospital from 9am until 4pm. There is no need to book an appointment.

A vaccination clinic will also be open at Cherbourg Hospital on Tuesday, January 4 and Thursday, January 6.