Covid update: No new cases as border restrictions tighten

No new Covid cases have been reported for Queensland in past 24 hours, but border resrictions will still tighten for some areas. LATEST DETAILS

QUEENSLAND has recorded no new locally acquired cases over the past 24 hours despite yesterday’s spike in cases related to a confirmed Goondiwindi case.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Friday that border restrictions would, however, still tighten for the next week as health officals remain “cautiously optimistic.”

It comes as Goondiwindi has for now avoided an outbreak which health officials have credited to the area’s high vaccination rate.

Moree has since been removed from the state’s border bubble in response to the Northern NSW suburb’s increasing number of active cases that as it stands sit at 35.

Ms Palaszczuk said tighened restrictions were an “added measure” to protect the neighbouring Goondiwindi area from a potential outbreak.

“What we do know, is a large proportion of people who are testing positive are unvaccinated (in Moree) and that’s a concern,” Ms Palaszcuk said.

“When the borders open we will be seeing hundreds of cases.

“What we are seeing in Goondiwindi is a highly vaccinated community … and the virus hunting you down.”

More than 78 per cent of Queenslander’s have recieved their first jab while 65.81 per cent are now fully vaccinated.

The premier again urged Gold Coasters to get vaccinated amid the area’s lagging vaccination rates for first doses.

Two new cases were recorded from overseas and were detected in hotel quarantine.

‘Virus will hunt you down:’ Premier’s warning as Coast vax rates lag

November 5, 2021

THREE new Covid cases have been reported for Queensland in the past 24 hours, all linked to yesterday’s confirmed Goondiwindi case.

It comes as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed Gold Coast was among a crop of regions in the state’s southeast that were falling behind in having their first jab.

A total 77.4 per cent of Gold Coasters have received their first jab, falling short of the desired 80 per cent needed to ease border restrictions.

“Vaccination rates are going quite well, but regions are still lagging,” she said.

“Gold Coast needs to do a lot better. We know people will be coming over the borders shortly when they open up.”

Ms Palaszczuk, speaking in Logan where vaccine rates are also behind, said it was cruical people get vaccinated.

Ipswich and Beaudesert are also yet to reach the 80 per cent mark for first doses.

Deputy police commissioner Steve Gollschewski said Goondiwindi’s high vaccination rates eased fears, admitting he was more concerned about areas like Gold Coast due to the city’s higher population and visitors to the area.

One of today’s cases is a contact of a known cluster, while the second case has been in the community for five days.

The third case is a woman in her 30s who’s been in the community for four days.

The first two cases were detected in unvaccinated people, prompting the Premier’s repeated message for Queenslanders to get vaccinated.

A total 5098 tests and 10709 vaccines were administered in the past 24 hours with 65.26 per cent of Queenslanders now fully vaccinated.

No new cases as Qld nears 80 per cent first dose mark

November 3, 2021

THERE have been no new Covid cases recorded for Queensland in the past 24 hours as the state edges nearer to its 80 per cent of first doses.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said more than 10,500 jabs were administered in the past 24 hours – pushing the first dose rate of 78.21 per cent.

A total 64.71 per cent of Queenslanders are now fully vaccinated.

Ms D’Ath said she was pleased to see numbers increasing despite the slow-moving process, particularly among regional cities.

She said in terms of only allowing people to return on planes, it was not safe for Queensland to have people driving their cars across the state.

“It is not safe until we get to that 80 per cent dose,” she said.

More than 9500 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours and only 12 active cases remain in the state.

No new cases despite Qld’s lagging vax rate

November 2, 2021

Queensland has recorded no new cases of Covid in the past 24 hours as the state’s top health officials look to ramp up lagging vaccination rates.

Speaking from Rockhampton, Deputy Premier Steven Miles said some regions were behind when it came to having their first jab.

New figures according to The Courier-Mail reveal only 11 Local Government Areas are on track to reach the 80 per cent vaccinated threshold when the border reopens on December 17.

“If it’s not good enough to get vaccinated for yourself, please do it for your health staff who will bear the brunt of an outbreak,” Mr Miles said.

“I don’t think the problem here is insufficient resources.”

“Our problem now is people need to go get vaccinated.”

A total 77.8 per cent of Queenslanders have received their first dose while 64.1 per cent are now fully vaccinated.

There are 13 active cases of Covid in Queensland.

Meanwhile, almost 4000 Queensland health workers remain suspended after failing to get their jab prior to Monday’s vaccine mandate coming into effect.

Mr Miles said healthcare staff who have put in exemption applications or have gotten no response from the government will remain on full pay for a week, despite not going to work, before further action will be taken.

Revealed: How Covid-infected rideshare driver got across border

November 1, 2021

UPDATE 4.10PM: A Broadbeach rideshare driver who spent a number of days infected in the Gold Coast was able to cross the border on foot, police allege.

Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski on Monday morning confirmed Duran Raman, 36, was fined more than $4000 for a border breach after it was found he entered the state without exemption.

Police have since alleged Raman had visited Victoria and New South Wales before parking his vehicle at Tweed Heads and walking across the border about 5.40pm on October 15.

He allegedly visited two declared Covid-19 hot spots and did not have a border pass to enter Queensland.

INITIAL 12.50PM: A Broadbeach rideshare driver who spent a number of days infected in the Gold Coast has been slapped with a hefty fine by Queensland Police.

Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski confirmed Duran Raman, 36, was fined more than $4000 for a border breach after it was found he entered the state without exemption.

Mr Raman – an alleged anti-vaxxer – spent days in Gold Coast University’s Intensive Care Unit about two weeks ago amid reports he was abusive toward staff.

A total 3399 Queensland residents received a vaccination during their visits to either a surf club or Gold Coast theme parks at the weekend.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the state was tracking well to reach its goal of beginning to ease border restrictions later this month.

As of October 30, 77.6 per cent of residents had their first jab while 63.87 per cent were fully vaxxed.

One new case has been recorded in the past 24 hours – an overseas arrival who tested positive while in hotel quarantine. No new locally-acquired cases were recorded.

Media is reporting the Covid-infected man to be Duran Raman.

The patient was not infectious in the community, however, contract tracing is underway for passengers who travelled on the same flight from the Ukraine via Doha.

Ms D’Ath said reaching the 90 per cent mark in which the state will fully open up is in the hands of Queenslanders.

More than 14,000 jabs were administered through Queensland Health hubs over the past 24 hours while about 5334 tests were also conducted: “There is no reason for people to delay being vaccinated,” she said.

“If people want to get to that 90 per cent mark in four weeks then they need to come out and get vaccinated.”

About 4000 health workers have been suspended for refusing to get the Covid jab with the sector’s vaccine mandate coming into effect today.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said today the Covid vaccine became mandatory for the state’s health workers – though one in 10 are yet to be vaccinated.

“There are 7000 health workers who have not come forward saying they are vaccinated, but 3000 of those are on leave (long service or maternity leave).

“There are 4000 who have not been vaccinated and will be given their show cause and will be suspended with full pay.

“There will be some disruptions, but we are managing those disruptions … we have been planning for this.”

There are currently 13 active cases of Covid in Queensland.

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Originally published as Covid update: No new cases as border restrictions tighten