Queensland recorded one new locally acquired Covid-19 case

Queensland has recorded a new locally acquired Covid-19 case, following a fears an influx of infections could be the only way to increase vaccination rates.

Queensland has recorded one new locally acquired Covid-19 case, following a warning from the state’s health minster to prepare for a case spike.

The new case, detected in a man on the Gold Coast, is linked to the existing cluster in that area. This brings the total number of cases in the Gold Coast cluster to five.

Health officials are working to determine whether this case could be the source of the cluster, with reports the man recently travelled to NSW.

“The person has been infectious in the community for a number of days and we understand may have recently travelled from NSW,” Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said on Tuesday.

Ms D’Ath warned this cluster still posed a risk to the Gold Coast, with a number of the new cases having spent time in the community.

The new case comes as Queensland continues to fall behind the other states and territories in the race to vaccinate Australians against Covid-19, with concerns it could take a spike in infections to encourage people to get the jab.

Having 90 per cent or more of the eligible Queensland population fully vaccinated is currently considered the trigger point for when life can return to almost pre-pandemic times, with very minimal restrictions in place.

Predictions for when this milestone would be reached have continued to be pushed further back as vaccination rates slow down across the state.

These projections were recently moved back again from early January, 2022, to mid-January.

At least 87.4 per cent of Queenslanders over the age of 16 have had one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and 78.7 per cent have had two doses.

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Based on the state’s current vaccination rates, it projected to have 90 per cent of residents over the age of 16 fully vaccinated by January 20, 2022, according to Covid Live.

Ms D’Ath spoke directly to unvaccinated Queenslanders on Tuesday, pleaded with them to come forward and get vaccinated.

“I say to the almost 15 per cent of eligible Queenslanders out there who are not yet vaccinated with one dose, please come out and get vaccinated,” she said.

“The borders are opening on Monday and mandatory vaccination social measures come into effect on the 17th of December. We want everyone to have a safe Christmas and to enjoy time with loved ones and you can do that by going and getting vaccinated.”

On Monday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she expects the state to hit the 90 per cent milestone for first dose vaccinations around Christmas time.

With Queensland’s hard border due to come down on December 13, residents have been warned that there will likely be an influx of Covid-19 cases as interstate travellers arrive.

But a Covid surge may be the one thing that will encourage unvaccinated residents to get the jab and push Queensland over that 90 per cent milestone, according to Ms D’Ath.

“The first doses have slowed a little,” she said on Monday.

“Sadly, I do think once we start getting cases, we will see an uptake.”

Ms D’Ath said while an uptake in vaccinations would be good news, it was “sad that we might have to wait for that to see a big surge”.

“I’m confident when our borders open at 1am next Monday and our social measures come in on the 17th of December that the last few people who are still to get vaccinated will understand the importance of coming out and getting vaccinated quickly,” she added.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said a Covid surge could be what pushes more residents to get vaccinated. Picture: Annette Dew

Queensland has fallen behind all other Australian states and territories in first dose vaccinations and has the second lowest rate of fully vaccinated residents.

The state is well behind both NSW and Victoria, which have 92.8 per cent and 91.3 per cent of residents over the age of 16 fully vaccinated.

Infectious disease expert at the University of Queensland, Dr Paul Griffin, told The Courier Mail that a rise in Covid cases would likely incentivise people who have been putting off getting the jab to get vaccinated.

“We’ve seen increases in vaccination rates follow clusters of cases, or the announcement of vaccine mandates and I think it will take some of these events to convert those who are yet to be vaccinated,” he told the publication.

“When we start to see an increase in cases and local transmission, we will most likely see another jump up in vaccination rates.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk addresses the media at a press conference. Picture: NewsWire/Sarah Marshall

On Monday, Ms Palaszczuk announced Queensland’s hard border would be coming down earlier than expected at 1am on December 13.

She said Australians will be able to enter the Sunshine State well before Christmas, but there will be several requirements upon entry.

“Fully vaccinated travellers from interstate hot spots can arrive by road or air,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“You must have a negative Covid test in the previous 72 hours. No quarantine is required if you are fully vaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated, you must arrive by air only and hotel quarantine for 14 days.”

Ms D’Ath said the opening came with a warning to residents that it was a matter of “when, not if”, the virus began circulating more widely in Queensland.

She urged people to be more cautious and to use the check-in codes provided by venues.

“We know Covid is coming, we know cases numbers will rise, but we can be as protected as possible by being fully vaccinated,” she said.

“Now we are starting to notice a lot of people going into venues and not checking in any more.

“This needs to change. This is more important than ever because when there are cases — and there will be cases — they could very well be where you have been.”