Sunshine Coast Covid-19 cases: 52 recorded overnight
The Sunshine Coast Covid-19 outbreak continues to escalate with 52 new cases recorded for the region in the past 24 hours, bumping the overall total up to 240.
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Sunshine Coast’s Covid-19 cases have jumped by 52 in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 240 cases as of Friday December 24.
Out of the 240 cases in the region, 49 of them are still active and 132 have recovered from the virus.
It comes as six new exposure sites in Maroochydore and Noosa were listed on Thursday.
Speaking at Friday’s press conference, Dr John Gerrard said the coming weeks would bring “thousands” more cases.
“When you have large numbers of cases that will translate to a significant number of people with the potential to put a strain on the health system,” Dr Gerrard said.
He said three people were currently in ICU with mild to moderate symptoms.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said it was an “extraordinary” result that more than 90 per cent of the state had received one dose of the vaccine in just under 10 months.
“It has put us in the best possible position,” she said.
New exposure sites listed online confirm six different locations for casual contact within the Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions. See the list below:
Tuesday 14 December – Grill’d, Noosa Heads – 8.30pm – 9pm
Tuesday 14 December – Noosa Heads Surf Lifesaving Club – 6.37pm – 8.29pm
Tuesday 14 December – Miss Moneypenny’s at Noosa – 5.29pm – 6.30pm
Tuesday 14 December – Bistro C at Noosa – 4.30pm – 5.15pm
Thursday 16 December – Giddy Geisha at Maroochydore – 4.40pm – 5.30pm Casual contact
Thursday 16 December – Ann’s Nails Sunshine Plaza – 3.10pm – 3.40pm
Residents that have been to any of the venues at the relevant times must immediately travel by private transport directly home or to accommodation and quarantine.
They must get tested at the earliest opportunity and continue to quarantine until a negative result is received.
Giddy Geisha Owner Tony Kelly spoke to the Sunshine Coast Daily about the casual contact on December 14 and said he wasn’t required to close the restaurant.
“I was shocked by it but when I phoned them Queensland Health classed it as an extremely low risk site and it was six days ago … they said there was no need for us to do anything,” Mr Kelly said.
On Thursday Independent State Member for Noosa Sandy Bolton called on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk MP to change the current COVID-19 mandates and requirements stating the current situation was unworkable and untenable for businesses.
“The effects are devastating for the business and has far reaching effects for staff, suppliers and for patrons whose plans are cancelled, both locals and holiday makers,” she said while referring to Sum Yung Guys who were forced to close their doors.
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