Cherbourg Covid: Two new cases detected in vulnerable town

‘Prepared as much as we can’: The Cherbourg council confirmed new cases of Covid have been detected in the township, with the community urged to protect themselves against the virus. FULL DETAILS HERE:

Two more Covid cases have been confirmed in the township of Cherbourg, with authorities and community leaders saying they’re as prepared as they can be.

Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council CEO Chatur Zala confirmed two additional cases had been detected in the community, after the town’s first case was discovered on Wednesday.

While there are no contact tracing sites listed in the town, Mr Zala said authorities were focused on tracing within households.

He said residents were treating the virus seriously, but its arrival hadn’t dampened community morale.

“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.

Anyone presenting to get tested who was unvaccinated is being offered the vaccine at the same time, which Mr Zala hopes will help to boost vaccine rates in the community.

The Aboriginal Shire is the least vaccinated area in the state, with 63.5 per cent of the community having one dose and just 52.8 per cent fully vaccinated as of December 20.

This week’s confirmation the virus had arrived in the community came on the same day another aboriginal shire posted a photo of a temporary morgue, using the stark image to urge its residents to get vaccinated.

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.

A temporary morgue was delivered to Palm Island by Queensland Health. Picture: Supplied

“All medical advice to us indicates deaths are anticipated from Covid on Palm and that is an avoidable tragedy waiting to happen,” Mr Sam said.

Cherbourg remains upbeat despite the stark warning, with the local disaster management group meeting twice a day to discuss vaccination, testing and quarantine accommodation as needed.

Mr Zala said the community’s authorities would be tackling the outbreak day by day.

“(We’re) prepared as much as we can … We’re doing what we have to do as a team,” he said.

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.