Darling Downs Health urges residents to mask up as Covid cases surge

After 13 people died in seven days across the region, Darling Downs Health have urged residents to take personal responsibility as Covid cases continues to surge. Details here.

The region needs to take personal responsibility instead of being forced with mandates to mask up, health officials say.

Director of public health and community medicine at Darling Downs Health Dr Liam Flynn, said while the DDH response would be adjusted based on numbers, residents were urged to be vigilant.

“Can you afford to not wear a mask?” he said.

“Getting sick means you’re off work, and your loved ones are exposed to viruses.

“Covid-19 is not a benign disease. Please wear a mask and stay at home if you’re sick.”

One person died on Thursday, taking the region’s death toll to 87.

The toll was 74 a week ago.

DDH Covid-19 health incident controller Michelle Forrest said 70 people were in the region’s hospitals for Covid, while two people are in ICU.

“We’re seeing and expecting greater numbers than we saw in January and February this year,” she said.

“As numbers increase, we know that a proportion of people who catch Covid are going to get very sick and a proportion of those people are going to die.

“We’re expecting people to take some personal responsibility and do the things that will help prevent spreading that disease to other people.”

Eighty-four people are under DDH care, however Ms Forrest said the total number of active cases in the region was unclear as people failed to report positive RATs.

Ms Forrest confirmed 171 DDH staff were Covid positive and currently isolating. She commended the “incredible” staff who were exhausted but pushed on each shift, and urged residents to remain up to date with vaccinations.

Originally published as Darling Downs Health urges residents to mask up as Covid cases surge