Sunshine Coast, Noosa Covid cases climb with mask mandate introduced

Covid cases continue to rise across the Sunshine Coast and Noosa region, as an updated mask mandate is rolled out across Queensland.

The number of Sunshine Coast residents testing positive for Covid-19 continues to rise with the region reporting 1055 total cases.

The Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service region has 1055 total Covid cases with 187 active and 132 fully recovered.

Queensland recorded 2226 new cases and announced from January 1 case numbers are now as of 7pm the day prior.

Masks will now be required to be worn indoors in all settings except in the family home and in workplaces where it is safe, chief health officer John Gerrard announced on Saturday.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said there are now 16,125 active cases in Queensland.

Queensland’s fully-vaccinated rate has reached 86.6 per cent and many had received their third booster shot.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said on Saturday he received his Covid-19 booster shot and encouraged Queenslanders to do the same.

“This is the new years resolution we’re urging all Queenslanders to make and it’s one that is really easy to keep,” he said.

Chief Health officer Dr John Gerrard says people who feel unwell over New Years should get tested. Picture: Annette Dew

It comes after one person who attended the Elements Festival seems to have been the source of dozens of Covid-19 infections which have spread throughout southeast Queensland.

One woman said she knew of at least 15 people who had tested positive to Covid after the Elements Festival 2021, two of which ended up very sick in hospital.

This comes after Queensland Police Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Stream said it was one of the best New Year’s Eve in recent years.

“Right throughout Queensland crowds were down in most major observation areas subsequent to that arrests were also down,” he said.

“Most arrests were minor arrest and crowds were extremely well behaved and compliant.”

COVID-19 Update: Deputy Premier @StevenJMiles is speaking in Brisbane. #covid19https://t.co/yWdgnxuloa

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) January 1, 2022

Sunshine Coast and Noosa businesses have taken it upon themselves to close their doors or limit services as staff and customers continue to become infected.

It comes as all reference to any Noosa or Sunshine Coast exposures sites have been removed from the Queensland Health website.

While no local exposures sites are currently listed by Queensland Health, many people are taking to social media to advise others of known spots.

The Noosa Surf Life Saving Club was the latest venue to temporarily shut the its doors after announcing this week they had been named a Covid contact exposure site.