Covid Qld: Deputy Premier Steven Miles roasts Scott Morrison over aged care chaos

Queensland’s leaders have again roasted the Federal Government over an aged care “disgrace” as the state records 6857 Covid-19 infections and 13 deaths.

Queensland’s deputy premier Steven Miles has continued his state’s attack on the federal aged care response, declaring the situation a “national disgrace”.

Mr Miles told journalists on Friday said the state would not be experiencing near the level of deaths it had if the Prime Minister had invested in getting Queensland’s most vulnerable boosted.

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles has continued his government’s attack on the Commonwealth aged care response. Picture: Richard Walker

“What‘s happening in aged care in Australia right now is nothing short of a national disgrace,” Mr Miles said.

“More than 1000 nursing homes are experiencing a live outbreak right now.”

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath earlier this week roasted the federal government for apparently offloading its aged care responsibilities onto the states and being lax with booster shot data.

Federal health minister Greg Hunt on Thursday announced a special task force would be set up to look into the aged care booster program and implored families of the 74,000 un-boosted aged care residents to consent to having their loved ones jabbed again.

But mR Miles said the situation was wider than that, and said staff shortages across the state due to Covid had left residents isolating in their rooms.

“We have elderly residents not being bathed, not getting food, not getting the medical care that they need and the national government should be doing absolutely everything,” Mr Miles said.

Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard addressed the media in a Covid press conference outlying his concern over lack of booster shots implemented in aged care. Image/Josh Woning

Mr Miles’ comments came as Queensland reported 6857 new cases and 13 deaths on Friday.

Of the fatalities, three had received their booster and nine were in aged care.

Only 70 per cent of Queenslanders above the age of 70 have received the booster as deaths of people in aged care skyrockets to more than half the overall tally of fatalities in the state.

More than 4074 tests were recorded in the last 24 hours including

The number of patients presenting to public hospitals in the state’s southeast is showing signs of stabilising, as the state reported 732 hospitalisations, down from Thursday’s total of 820.

Fifty people are in intensive care.

The state’s death toll over the course of the pandemic has reached 234, with all but seven of these fatalities coming in the first 33 days of 2022.

More than 1000 nursing homes across Queensland are currently experiencing staff shortages due Covid. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Chief health officer John Gerrard said authorities were still planning for the worst in preparing for potential future waves in winter.

“We are seeing a disproportionate number of deaths in older people who have not received a booster and this is this is quite considerable concern to us.”

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath criticised the federal government’s efforts in aged care and told them to “get on with it”.

“The federal government needs to implement the recommendations of the Aged Care Royal Commission to keep residents safe,” she said.

Authorities have urged anyone who has had their second coronavirus vaccination dose at least three months ago to come forward and get their booster.