Premier Palaszczuk declares new Covid wave in Qld, moves to Amber status, as cases climb

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has issued an urgent warning to the state as it stares down a fresh Covid outbreak.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has declared Queensland is entering a new Covid wave – raising the state’s emergency alert status to amber.

The amber tier is activated when there are moderate rates of community transmission and in this case relates to the state entering a new wave.

“It’s time to be alert – not alarmed,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

BREAKING: Queensland is entering a new wave so our COVID-19 traffic light system will switch from green to amber from tomorrow on advice from the Chief Health Officer.

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) November 9, 2022

There are now 203 people being treated for Covid in Queensland hospital – almost double what it was this time last week.

The XBB strain, which is resistant to vaccines and antibodies from previous infections, emerged in Singapore a few weeks ago.

It now makes up more than half of all Covid cases in Australia.

Over the last week, 37,097 cases of COVID-19 were reported across Australia, an average of 5,300 cases per day.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announces the state’s COVID-19 alert system is moving to amber. Picture: NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Speaking before parliament on Thursday, Ms Palaszczuk said there has been a 15 per cent increase in Covid cases in the past week and an increase in Covid-related ambulance call outs.

“The fourth wave that we have been expecting has arrived,” she said.

“No one should be alarmed. We have been living with this virus for a long time and Queenslanders know what to do.”

She said the declaration was based on advice from chief health officer John Gerrard.

“The chief health officer has advised that our Covid traffic light system should switch from green to amber.”

Under the Amber status, Queenslanders are asked to wear a mask in the following places:

• in healthcare settings
• indoors (if they can't socially distance)
• on public transport
• if you are older or medically at risk
• if you're around people who are vulnerable to COVID-19
  

📣 New COVID-19 traffic light system 🚥
Living with COVID-19 means recognising and responding when the risk increases and decreases.
Here's the latest on the new system. 👇 pic.twitter.com/6zuiRDU5lR

— Queensland Health (@qldhealth) October 31, 2022

They should also take a rapid test (RAT) every two days if someone in their household has COVID-19.

The traffic light system is a recommendation, with the new rules not legally enforceable unless the CHO issues a mandate.

Earlier this week, Australian chief medical officer Paul Kelly said remain tight-lipped about whether parts of the country would re-enter lockdown this Christmas.

“You know, that’s not my decision, but I don’t think that that’s likely,” Professor Kelly said on Sunrise.

Australians are urged to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations, stay home if unwell and wear a mask when in indoor public places so they can “continue to look forward to their summer plans”.

He also said Australia was in a “much better position than last year as there are plenty of tests and so forth”.

“We’ve seen these same variants go to other countries, most recently Singapore. They had a quick, sharp wave of cases, but not a lot else and then they’ve moved on,” he said.