Queensland records 10,212 new Covid cases, 13 deaths with Gold Coast reaching Omicron peak

Queensland has recorded 10,212 new Covid cases and 13 deaths in the past 24 hours, while it appears the Gold Coast has hit its peak in Omicron cases.

Queensland has recorded 10,212 new Covid cases and 13 deaths, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced, while it appears the Gold Coast has reached its peak in Omicron cases.

Of the 13 deaths, four were aged in their 70s, seven in their 80s and two in their 90s.

Three were unvaccinated, one person had one dose, and nine had been double vaccinated. None had their booster shot.

Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard said “it would appear the Gold Coast is close to or past its peak”. It comes after four consecutive days of falling hospitalisations.

He said Brisbane should follow within seven days.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and chief health officer Dr John Gerrard providing a Covid update. Picture: Dan Peled

“We believe the average peak will occur in Queensland sometime next week, particularly in metropolitan Brisbane,” he said.

“But it won’t be even across the state – different regions will have their peaks at different times.”

The CHO said the peak of cases was not an indication the wave had passed, however, stressing hospitals in Brisbane will come under “lots of pressure” this week.

“It will then probably taper off slowly,” Dr Gerrard said.

“It appears the peak is not as steep as they’ve seen in other states, in NSW or Victoria, we think that’s because of the high vaccination rates, (and) we didn’t already have the virus spreading in Queensland in December.

“Queenslanders’ behaviour has slowed the peak because they have heeded to the warnings.”

Dr Gerrard said the peak was not the end, and said significant community transmission would continue for several weeks.

“But the peak is not the end,” he said. “The peak is the high point.”

He said there could be an “extension of the peak” where there’s a longer, flatter period of high community transmission when school returns rather than a previously expected sharp decline.

Dr Gerrard said 40 per cent of the 50 people in ICU were unvaccinated.

He said he was anticipating “several thousand people” in hospital, well above the 878 under care now.

“So far the impact of the epidemic is less than we expected – but I’m trying to be cautious here because we still haven’t reached the peak in Brisbane,” he said.

There are 89.16 per cent of Queenslanders with two doses. There are 27.5 per cent of five to 11 year olds with a vaccine – two weeks before school returns.

From today people who received a second dose more than three months ago can get their booster.

Ms Palaszczuk said the next two weeks would be crucial as the Omicron wave peaks.

She said the vulnerable should limit their movements, but said it was “perfectly okay” to go shopping for groceries or visit families.

Ms Palaszczuk said they should, however, avoid large crowds.

Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard. Picture: Liam Kidston

Ms Palaszczuk said the state government will this week discuss a plan for children returning to school.

“Schools go back in two weeks time, the priority is to get those kids vaccinated and we will be releasing our plan this week,” the Premier told reporters.

She said there was no health advice suggesting students should be forced to return negative rapid antigen tests before returning to class but cabinet will “be looking at all of those issues”.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said people must register their rapid antigen test positive result.

Ms D’Ath said she was concerned just 66 per cent of 12 to 16 year olds had received two doses.

Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy said all state clinics would accept walk ins for boosters, first and second doses.

Last week 243,000 people received a booster.

Originally published as Queensland records 10,212 new Covid cases, 13 deaths with Gold Coast reaching Omicron peak