Health officials warn the third Covid wave is here as cases spike

The peak of Cairns’ third Covid outbreak has been projected with health officials revealing case numbers have doubled in the past week. WHAT YOU CAN DO

CAIRNS’ latest Covid outbreak peak will not be for up to three weeks with health officials maintaining they were coping despite a warning “Covid is everywhere”.

The Cairns and Hinterland region is reporting up to 500 cases of Covid-19 infections a day as the Far North region battles a third wave of Covid-19. 

Cairns Hinterland Hospital and Health Service acting chief executive Dr Jeremy Wellwood said Covid was here and the community needed to do its part in reducing the spread. 

“Covid is well and truly here in the Cairns region. This third wave is definitely hitting the community and hospital,” he said. 

“What we need is the Cairns community to play their role and you have done this before. We navigated the wave successfully back in January and can do it again.

“We want you to wash your hands and make sure you can distance yourself, and if that’s not possible, put your mask on, but most importantly, we need you to come out and get your vaccinations.”

There are currently 50 patients in hospital across the region, with one requiring the intensive care unit. 

There are an additional 80 positive patients who are considered high risk and are receiving daily virtual care from home. 

Dr Jeremy Wellwood at a press conference regarding Covid-19 Picture: Kayla McLean

Dr Wellwood maintained the health system would be able to cope despite admitting to significant strain due to staff illness and growing case numbers. 

“Case numbers have doubled over the past week and this is creating quite an impact on the hospital … Like any industry, staff illnesses will also have an impact on the hospital,” he said. 

“You can rely on the health service to be there when you need us. 

“The team here is very good. We have great experts and the planning that has gone into our hospital response has been significant. We have navigated the wave in January and we will do it again.”

Based on modelling received from the state government, Dr Wellwood warned things were far from over. 

“It’s difficult to really know how this will play out over the next month,” he said.

The wave was not expected to peak for another two to three weeks, meaning things may get worse before they get better. 

While no formal decision has been made to cancel elective surgery, Dr Wellwood said decisions on cancellations would be made dependant on staffing levels. 

“We have made no blanket decisions to cancel elective surgery but of course on a given day depending who calls in sick we may have to reschedule some of those cases,” he said. 

The region has reported 77 deaths since the start of the pandemic .

Originally published as Health officials warn the third Covid wave is here as cases spike