Cairns primary school teacher Jenna Brown tells of repeated Covid disruption to her work

A Far North teacher has spoken out about her frustration with reinfection despite following guidelines. Cairns Hospital has revealed the latest figures on Covid patients.

CAIRNS Hospital acting chief executive Dr Jeremy Wellwood is “quietly confident” Cairns is nearing the peak of the latest Covid wave as reports emerge that the nation has crested the Omicron BA.5 sub-variant currently plaguing the nation.

Mr Wellwood acknowledged reinfections are occurring and said the best protection against them is getting a Covid booster shot.

“It’s really important to remember you can catch Covid again,” he said.

“There are new variants coming up all the time. We know if you have your vaccines up to date you’re much less likely to need to come into hospital.”

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service recorded 265 new Covid infections on August 3, along with 54 inpatients.

Cairns Hospital acting chief executive Dr Jeremy Wellwood delivers a Covid update on Thursday, August 4. Picture: Isaac McCarthy

From this week, CHHHS will provide free monthly RAT kits for people with concession cards.

Mr Wellwood said the RAT kits won’t be available at Cairns Hospital but are available at “community-based facilities”.

“Go to Queensland Health website, that will show you exactly where to go.”

Rates of Covid reinfection are climbing, disrupting working professionals everywhere including Redlynch State College primary school teacher Jenna Brown.

Ms Brown, 30, is enduring her second Covid infection despite being triple vaccinated. She is worried the virus will interrupt her students’ learning routine whenever she has to take a week off work.

“It’s a massive pain; I write plans for replacement teachers but anything I see as important has to be put on hold, which can include assessments,” she said.

“I’m worried I’ll get Covid every three months now. It’s not good for the children whose learning routines are disrupted.

Redlynch State College primary school teacher Jenna Brown, currently battling Covid reinfection, pictured here in March 2021 rescuing a blue tongue lizard on the school grounds. Picture: supplied

“It’s still very easy to catch Covid from a student because 1.5 metres is difficult to maintain when working closely with them, such as when I have to check their work or help them with reading.”

Ms Brown believes there is a need for more accessible information regarding Covid reinfection, especially for those confused about why vaccination isn’t preventing it.

“I’m very worried that the risks of long Covid increase with each new infection,” she said.

All Australians over the age of 50 are encouraged to get a fourth dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, while those over 30 are also able to access the fourth jab if they wish to.

Originally published as Cairns primary school teacher Jenna Brown tells of repeated Covid disruption to her work