Grim photo of temporary morgue on day person tests positive in Cherbourg

A stark photo posted by the mayor of a vulnerable Queensland shire council illustrates an “avoidable tragedy waiting to happen” in one of the state’s least vaccinated areas. It comes as person tested positive for Covid in Cherbourg.

A Queensland council has posted a photo of a temporary morgue and warned its residents to get vaccinated on the same day a person tested positive to Covid-19 in the vulnerable community of Cherbourg.

Palm Island, which has a predominantly indigenous population, took delivery of the temporary morgue on Wednesday as the explosion of Omicron threatens the undervaccinated community.

Local Disaster Management Group Chair Mayor Mislam Sam said the temporary morgue sent to Palm Island by Queensland Health is the starkest reminder yet that locals are at serious risk of illness and death from Covid.

A temporary morgue on Palm Island. Picture: Palm Island Shire Council

“We all look at the current infection numbers and think that’s what will happen here, that we won’t get real sick or die,” Mayor Sam said.

“The big difference is our population is massively under vaccinated compared to the rest of Queensland.

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

Mayor Sam said while health authorities are planning for the worst, there is something the Palm Island community can do.

“The only way is go get vaccinated today,” Mayor Sam said.

“I don’t want to see this temporary morgue used at all.”

It comes as it was confirmed a person has tested positive to Covid-19 in the indigenous community of Cherbourg.

Darling Downs Health confirmed the positive case on Wednesday afternoon, with a spokesperson saying it was detected overnight.

“One person in Cherbourg has been diagnosed with (Covid-19),” a spokesperson said.

“This person did the right thing and got a test after they became aware, they were a close contact of another case.

“Their actions have helped slow the spread of Covid in this community.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk with Cherbourg Mayor Elvie Sandow during the premier’s visit in November.

No contact tracing sites have been listed for Cherbourg, and Darling Downs Health would not provide more details due to patient confidentiality.

It’s understood the person is in isolation.

The spokesperson encouraged anyone who had symptoms or was a close contact to get tested as soon as possible.

Testing is available at Cherbourg Hospital on Wednesday until 4pm, and Thursday and Friday from 9am until 4pm.

There is no need to book an appointment.

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.

A Darling Downs Health spokesperson encouraged the community to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

“We are asking the community of Cherbourg to get vaccinated if they haven’t already, get their booster if they are due, wear a mask, wash their hands, and use the Queensland Check In app wherever they go,” the spokesperson said.

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

The Cherbourg community has struggled to boost vaccination rates amid reports of rampant misinformation about the jab and its long-term effects.

A door-to-door vaccination program was rolled out across the area in October in a bid to better protect Cherbourg residents against the virus before the state’s borders reopened.