Southern Downs Covid case numbers rise as 1300+ school-aged children test positive in 24 hours
The state’s leaders have hinted at which Covid restrictions could be removed first as it is revealed which Southern Downs vaccine providers will stock the highly-anticipated Novavax. See Monday’s full update here:
Stanthorpe
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Covid infections have continued to spread through Stanthorpe and the wider Southern Downs as the State Government reveals when the state’s first restrictions could be lifted.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said on Monday that Queensland was on track to see the suspension on elective surgery waived by the end of the month.
“It will probably be phased in,” she said.
“Victoria and New South Wales restrictions that they’re lifting really bring them into line (with) where we have been over December and January.”
She also called on the Commonwealth to maintain changes to health funding under Covid and bring in more long-term reforms to ease pressure on the health system.
“We are going to continue to have Covid patients in our hospitals for some time to come,” Ms D’Ath said.
“We’re going to need a lot of support to deal with the backlog of elective surgery that we’re going to have.”
It comes as Stanthorpe schools continue to battle Covid outbreaks within their staff and student cohorts, and 1360 children aged between five and 17 test positive to the virus overnight.
At least five schools across the region including Stanthorpe State High School have now reported confirmed Covid cases.
None of the schools so far have confirmed how many cases were detected within their school community and whether it was a student or staff member returning the positive result.
Monday also marks the opening of international borders and continued rollout of the highly-anticipated Novavax vaccine, which is set to be offered at certain providers in Queensland.
Get more of the latest information on the Covid outbreak in Stanthorpe below:
Southern Downs case numbers
This total is cumulative and updated each day. The comparative number of active cases is not released by LGA.
The information released daily by Queensland Health no longer includes the source of infection for each case, only the total number confirmed within each LGA.
A Queensland Health spokeswoman confirmed that authorities will no longer be releasing details of individual cases, with any heightened or unique risks to the community to be communicated through media updates and press conferences.
The table below breaks down the location of every Covid case recorded in the Southern Downs local government area by postcode, using Queensland Health case line statistics dated from December 22 – January 25.
Queensland deaths, hospitalisation rates
Queensland has recorded six Covid-related deaths overnight, including one aged care resident.
Two people were aged in their 60s, one in their 70s, and three in their 80s. Only one person was unvaccinated.
The total number of people being treated in hospital for Covid-related illnesses now sits at 401, and there are 37 people being treated in intensive care.
Dr Gerrard said earlier this month that he anticipated up to half of the state’s population to have had Covid by the end of February, but a “wall of immunity” established through vaccinations, boosters, and infection would help protect Queensland against further waves.
He also stressed the importance of getting all three doses of a Covid vaccine in the lead-up to the winter months.
Dr Gerrard confirmed on Monday that he was still reviewing potential changes to Queensland Covid restrictions ahead of possible changes at the end of the month.
Hospitalisation rates have prompted new restrictions on the number of people who can visit hospital wards, with each now limited to two people. One person aside from the patient will be allowed in emergency departments.
Restrictions will not apply to wards such as palliative care or maternity.
Exposure sites
Queensland Health will only release superspreader or major outbreak venues this year due to the quickly growing number of Omicron cases.
A Darling Downs Health spokeswoman said contact tracers would from now on prioritise vulnerable residents or those who attended high-risk venues.
“Given the rapidly rising case numbers in all parts of the state, we are asking residents of the Darling Downs Health region to assume they are at risk of developing (Covid) no matter where they are, and take precautions such as wearing a mask in public and maintaining physical distance from other people,” the spokeswoman said.
Residents have turned to community-run Facebook groups to share potential contact venues, but these remain unconfirmed by authorities.
The State Government has adopted a nationally-agreed definition of a close contact, reducing it to a household contact or someone who spent more than four hours with a positive Covid case in a house, care facility, or other accommodation.
Confirmed cases and close contacts must quarantine for seven days from the date they tested positive or were exposed to the virus, and must have a negative rapid antigen test on Day 6 to leave.
Testing
Warwick retailers have reported an influx of RATs within the past several days as schools and workplaces continue their return to “normal”.
Choice Warwick has reported an influx of RATs at their Grafton St store, with each test priced at $14.99.
The Priceline pharmacy in Rose City Shoppingworld also advertised RAT kits on Monday, again priced individually at $14.99 or $27.99 for two.
Major retailers such as Coles and Woolworths still have all RATs listed as ‘out of stock’ on their websites.
The only people lining up for PCR tests under new government criteria should now be those with symptoms who cannot get access to a RAT, or close contacts and confirmed cases who need their Day 6 test to exit quarantine.
Residents who have tested positive at home using an RAT kit are no longer required to get a PCR test for confirmation, and should instead immediately assume they have Covid and quarantine.
The Queensland Care Army has now been activated to enable residents to access health care from home. The hotline number is 1800 173 349.
The State Government has established an online system for residents to report positive at-home RAT results, which has already seen thousands of active cases confirmed.
Ms D’Ath said Queenslanders should be readying now for the possibility of going into quarantine at short notice, urging residents to stock up on essentials such as food and medical supplies.
“We will get to a point that the majority of the population are just having rapid antigen tests at home, (but) we are not there yet,” she said.
These are the current PCR testing sites in Stanthorpe:
- Pathology Queensland at Stanthorpe Hospital, 8 McGregor Tce (must book ahead – call 4683 3400)
Vaccinations
A huge majority of Southern Downs residents aged 15 and above are now fully vaccinated against Covid as of Monday, with more than 95 per cent now double-vaxxed and an even higher rate with one dose.
Queensland has finally reached the 90 per cent fully-vaccinated milestone weeks after its anticipated arrival, with a slightly higher 92.2 per cent of the state having received one dose.
Just over 63 per cent of the state has rolled up their sleeves for a booster jab.
Ms D’Ath said on Monday that she was still concerned about the low vaccination rates for children, with 12 to 15 year olds currently at 76.88 per cent first dose and 70.38 per cent double dose.
“I am pleased that over the last couple of days we have reached over 200,000 five to 11 year olds. We are sitting at 201,462 children, but of course we need that to be over 400,000,” she said.
“We are not even at the halfway mark of our 5-11 year olds being vaccinated against Covid.”
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