Sunshine Coast Covid-19 cases rise to 1606 on January 3, testing clinic locations revealed

The Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions have recorded hundreds of new Covid-19 cases overnight. See where you can get tested during today’s public holiday.

Most testing clinics are closed for the public holiday as the Sunshine Coast and Noosa record more than 300 new Covid-19 cases overnight.

Experts have warned “everyone” will contract the disease within weeks as they issue another urgent call for people to get vaccinated, and if eligible, receive the booster shot.

Confirmed cases on the Sunshine Coast rose to 1606 on Monday, up from 1295 on Sunday, with 197 active and 132 recovered.

Across Queensland there were 4249 new cases recorded with 10 receiving intensive care treatment.

Only two testing clinics were open across the Sunshine Coast on Monday; Nambour General Hospital at 80-82 Blackall Tce and the Caloundra Specialist Ambulatory Care at West Tce.

Both were open until 4pm.

Click here to find out more about testing locations.

Queensland chief health officer Dr John Gerrard during a press conference in Brisbane. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard said a man in his 30s died from “probable” Covid-19 in his home on the Gold Coast.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urged those eligible to receive their third booster vaccine shot and for residents to “think carefully” about where they go.

“This is a highly infectious strain,” she said.

“I want Queenslanders to think carefully about where you’re going, think carefully about your friends, family, your interactions.”

Ms Palaszczuk said the state was tracking towards a peak in late January or early February.

She said the state government had secured 18 million rapid antigen tests which will be provided for free from public testing sites.

Dr Gerrard said all Queenslanders should assume they will get the virus within weeks.

“In the majority of cases the illnesses will be mild,” Dr Gerrard said.

“Already it’s pretty clear given we have over 20,000 active cases and only one person on a ventilator last night, so clearly the vaccine is working.”

He warned two doses were unlikely to protect people from contracting the virus, which was why it was crucial for those eligible to receive their booster shot.

“There are 170 people in hospital with Covid-19,” he said.

“Our figures indicate about 147 are specially requiring treatment for Covid-19.”