‘Everywhere’: Burnett residents warned of third Covid wave as worrying vax statistic is revealed

A worrying South Burnett vax statistic has been revealed as public health experts warn residents to prepare for the third wave, with hundreds of new cases being detected a day.

Cases in the Burnett are continuing to rise as the state’s health system is put under immense pressure, and a worrying vaccination statistic is revealed.

Residents have been warned Covid-19 is “everywhere” with elderly people urged to don masks in crowded spaces amid another surge of the pandemic.

Authorities on Monday confirmed 782 people were being treated in Queensland’s hospitals for Covid-19, on top of the 104 patients currently admitted for the flu.

The health system is under significant pressure, with 2337 staff off sick or isolating due to infection.

In the Burnett, cases numbers are continuing to rise, with 154 confirmed cases in the past month.

Data from Queensland Health revealed the South Burnett saw the largest increase from June 11 to July 10, with 106 new cases.

Cherbourg came in next at 25 and North Burnett recorded 23.

However it’s likely these numbers are vastly underestimated, due to the data being derived from tests completed by Queensland Health or by private pathology providers.

It's been revealed the region is lagging on the uptake of booster shots, with less than two-thirds of residents having received more than two doses.

In the South Burnett, where 94.5 per cent of residents have been double-vaxxed, just 63.6 per cent of residents have more than two vaccinations.

Cherbourg is well behind, with just 40 per cent of resident triple or quad-vaxxed, while the North Burnett has the highest figure at a concerning 67.3 per cent.

Ms D’Ath said Covid-19 was “widespread” in the community and parents were being urged to keep kids home if they are unwell.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urged older Queenslanders to urgently get their fourth booster jab, noting 91 per cent of all deaths in the state with Covid-19 were people aged 65 or older.

“If you’re 65 and over, seriously, okay. Get that full dose, but also to strongly encourage you if you’re in that age bracket, seniors in our community to think about wearing masks in crowded spaces.”

Queensland chief health officer Dr John Gerrard made a plea for all Queenslanders to play their part, saying now was the time to move away from mandates to “personal ­responsibility”.

“By now, Queenslanders are accustomed to the precautions and measures that have protected them against Covid-19. We should all be well versed in wearing masks when we need to, physically distancing in public, staying away from others when we’re ill, and self-testing,” Dr Gerrard said.

“I have every confidence in the ability of Queenslanders to do this.”