‘Consider themselves exposed’: Qld’s Covid warning as 42 new cases recorded

Queensland has confirmed dozens of new local cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, health authorities have announced.

Queensland has recorded 42 new cases of Covid-19, with health authorities warning people to consider themselves “potentially exposed” as a “significant increase” is predicted over the new year.

Addressing reporters on Sunday, chief health officer John Gerrard said the new cases had “doubled” from just two days ago.

Many of the 42 new cases had minimal symptoms, with only one “moderately unwell and breathless” in hospital.

Dr Gerrard confirmed the hospitalised woman was unvaccinated and said people could expect “significant numbers” over January if current trends continued.

“It’s disappointing to see at this stage in the pandemic … we’re still seeing unvaccinated patients being admitted to hospital,” he said.

Sunday 19 December – coronavirus cases in Queensland:

• 34 new locally acquired cases
• 7 new interstate acquired cases
• 1 new overseas acquired case#covid19pic.twitter.com/cNCgT1arnE

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) December 19, 2021

“At this stage, we have no-one in intensive care.”

Dr Gerrard said Mt Isa was the latest city where a new case had emerged.

“All Queenslanders must consider themselves potentially exposed, or it is likely most will be potentially exposed to this virus in the coming weeks, ” he said.

It comes after 24 local cases were reported in Queensland on Saturday, continuing an uptick in numbers since the state dropped its hard border seven days ago.

That same day, attendees at a “Freedom Rally” marched in opposition to Queensland’s vaccine mandates.

Saturday was the first day of the state’s new mask mandate, and they are now required in all retail outlets, shopping centres and on public transport.

Thousands of protesters attended a Freedom Rally and march on Saturday, opposing the Queensland government's mandatory Covid-19 check in mandates. Picture: Brendan Radke

Unvaccinated people are banned from entering pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes, and indoor entertainment venues such as nightclubs and cinemas.

Sports stadiums, theme parks, festivals, and state government-owned galleries, museums and libraries are also among the venues that are allowed to refuse entry if a patron is not double-dosed.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said there had been some enforcement action over the mandates - some of which had turned sour.

She said an unmasked man and woman at a Bundaberg shopping centre were arrested after they became “extraordinarily aggressive” when approached by police.

A Sunshine Coast man was also arrested for assaulting a security officer on Saturday after becoming agitated and impatient while waiting for his vaccination appointment.

“It’s completely unacceptable and disappointing in many ways,” she said.