Covid case numbers on Southern Downs soar as Omicron runs rampant

Covid has hit Warwick and the wider Southern Downs as the Omicron variant runs rampant across the state, with dozens of cases now active across the region. FULL DETAILS:

Covid case numbers across Warwick and the wider Southern Downs have soared over the weekend as the state’s virus outbreak continues to escalate.

The most recent data from Queensland Health indicates there are now 49 cases within the Southern Downs local government area, with the source of 38 cases still under investigation.

Two of the cases were acquired overseas, three were acquired interstate, and another six were traced back to local exposure to the virus.

Two of the locally-acquired cases have not been connected to a known Covid contact.

Queensland now has 20,239 active cases statewide, with 4249 reported on Monday alone.

The Darling Downs Health Region has 167 active cases.

There are no confirmed exposure sites in Warwick or the wider region following the State Government’s decision to stop routine contact tracing from Saturday, instead only reporting major outbreak venues or super-spreader events.

None have been reported so far.

A health worker is seen at a drive through Covid-19 clinic. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

A Darling Downs Health spokeswoman said the rampant spread of the Omicron variant and soaring case numbers meant high-risk venues and vulnerable residents were of most concern and had to be prioritised.

“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.

“We are still urging people to check the contact tracing page and use the Check-In App when they enter venues, especially if you are considered vulnerable.”

Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard has urged all Queenslanders to work from home where possible and wear face masks indoors to ease the burden on the state’s under-pressure hospital system.

More than 100 people are being treated in Queensland hospitals for Covid, with 10 in intensive care.

It comes amid estimates 330 hospital and health service employees have contracted Covid and 720 staff are in quarantine.

Covid testing is available at Warwick Hospital on Monday from 8am - 2pm and then 8am - 4pm daily.