Qld Covid: Daily cases surge to record 6781 as hospitalisations leap, testing queues blow out

Queensland authorities have warned true Covid case numbers are higher than official daily infection tallies, which continue to smash records.

Queensland’s daily Covid cases have accelerated to a new high of 6781 – though the real number is likely even greater – as frustrations boil over testing queue blowouts.

Wednesday’s figures come as residents in the state’s metro south east region report waiting up to nine hours for a PCR test, while others have been turned away from testing sites before 7am as the system buckles under surging demand.

Wednesday’s daily case tally is a near 20 per cent leap on the previous record of 5699 on Tuesday, although authorities say the true number is expected to be ‘significantly higher’ given a number of people are staying home and using rapid antigen tests (RATs) instead of battling huge testing lines.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also announced on Wednesday she would be urging national cabinet to make the in-demand RATs free for pensioners and vulnerable cohorts of society.

“This is a pandemic. We need to make it as easy and simple for everybody out there. So that‘s the position I’ll be taking international cabinet,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese on Wednesday stated the RATs should be free for everyone.

People line up to get COVID 19 tests out the front of the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. Picture: Zak Simmonds

A gridlocked testing system has left thousands of Queenslanders waiting for hours – on foot and in cars – prompting calls for people to consider staying home if they are only suffering mild symptoms.

Close contacts in quarantine only need to take a PCR or RAT on day six of their quarantine, and are allowed to leave testing lines.

The testing system has buckled under the surge of the Omicron variant, while the Christmas holiday period and isolation measures have taken health workers out of the equation at a crucial time.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the state could not have predicted the number of people presenting for testing in recent weeks as she called for patience.

Ms Palaszczuk also said a number of new PCR testing sites were being brought online in Brisbane through to Friday - including at Ashgrove, Boondall, Edens Landing, Wilston, and Cleveland - though these would only be open until lunchtime.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says people with mild flu symptoms should stay at home instead of heading out to get a PCR test. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

There are now more than 32,300 active Covid cases in Queensland, a figure that chief health officer Dr John Gerrard expects to climb into “the hundreds of thousands” by the end of January.

Fully vaccinated young people with mild flu symptoms have been asked to assume they have Covid, and to stay home instead of heading out for a PCR test.

Queensland Covid hospitalisations rose from 170 to 265 people in the 24 hours to 7pm last night, with ten people in intensive care.

Two people remain on ventilators.

Queensland this week announced it had ordered 18 million tests and will provide them for free through testing clinics. Supply is set to start trickling through on Wednesday and increase slowly over the coming days and weeks.

More to come