Burnett Covid cases rise as qld scrapped masks, eases restriction statewide

The state’s leaders have scrapped masks and eased Covid restrictions, including for school children, as it is revealed which Burnett vaccine providers will stock the highly-anticipated Novavax. See Wednesday’s full update here:

The State Government has revealed that masks will no longer be mandated in most Queensland venues from next month as Covid infections continue to spread across the Burnett region, with more than 1300 cases recorded since the state opened its border.

The announcement comes as Queensland recorded 6300 new Covid cases and 37 deaths.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said 29 of the 37 deaths reported at Wednesday's press conference came from certificates reported to the Department of Births, Deaths and Marriages last week, which is why the overnight death toll appeared high.

The Premier said from 6pm next Friday (March 4) masks will no longer be required in shops, workplaces, schools and hospitality venues.

They must still be worn on public transport, in hospitals, disability care, prisons, aged care, airports and planes.

Schools will be allowed to host assemblies and excursions, while restrictions on visitors to schools will also be lifted.

Ms Palaszczuk said density limits would be scrapped in food courts, hairdressers, weddings, funerals, gyms, private venues and universities, and the number of people you can have in your home.

She said while masks were no longer required, Queenslanders should still wear one if they felt more comfortable doing so.

Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed masks will no longer be required in shops, workplaces, schools and hospitality venues.

Chief Health Officer John Gerrard will hold his last daily Covid-19 press conference on March 1, however Covid-19 statistics will still be published each day.

He’ll still call press conferences when deemed necessary.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the resumption of elective surgery would likely be phased-in over the coming weeks but noted a number of hospitals across Brisbane were permitted to continue operations in individual cases, which meant the backlog was less impacted than initially feared.

Monday marked the opening of international borders and rollout of the highly-anticipated Novavax vaccine, which is already available by appointment in pharmacies and medical centres across the region.

Here’s where you can find Novavax in the Burnett region:

Good Price Pharmacy Warehouse Kingaroy

Good Price in Kingaroy will be offering the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine from Wednesday.

Those looking to get the jab should call ahead to book an appointment, which will be available between 2-5pm.

Only 1st and 2nd vaccines will be available, not boosters.

To book call: [phone]

Kingaroy Discount Drug Store

Novavax is currently available at Kingaroy DDS, with appointments available from tomorrow.

An appointment is required.

To book call: [phone]

Nanango Discount Drug Store

Nanango DDS have ordered Novavax, however stock has not yet arrived.

The pharmacy are currently taking names and numbers for people looking to get the vaccine when it arrives.

To book call: [phone]

Wondai Medical Centre

Novavax will be available at Wondai Medical Centre on February 25.

Gayndah Pharmacy

Stock of the vaccine will likely be available at Gayndah Pharmacy by the end of this week.

Mundubbera Medical Centre

Mundubbera Medical Centre will be holding their first clinic with the Novavax vaccine this Thursday from 8.30am to 5pm.

Please call ahead to book.

To book call: [phone]

Monto Family Practice

Novavax will be available at Monto Family Practice later this week.

Biggenden Medical Centre

Novavax is due to arrive at Biggenden Medical Centre later this week.

From up-to-date numbers and testing information to the latest State Government advice, here’s everything you need to know about the current outbreak in the region:

Case numbers

Data from Queensland Health indicates that as of 7pm Tuesday, there were at least 1334 cases across the North and South Burnett and Cherbourg local government areas.

The North Burnett recorded 2 new cases since Monday and has a total case number of 226.

Cherbourg has recorded at least 260 cases since the borders opened. This number includes positive rapid antigen testing performed by health workers in the community.

The council is supplying Cherbourg residents with essential supplies such as groceries, face masks, and school stationery packs to limit travel to and from the area.

The South Burnett recorded 10 new cases since Monday bringing the total number to 848.

South Burnett Regional Council is warning residents to “expect that any interaction in the community could lead to Covid exposure”.

Omicron is now making up about 90 per cent of Covid cases in the state.

BREAKDOWN MAP OF Covid CASES IN QUEENSLAND:

*Note – navigate to your area of interest using zoom in, zoom out or by dragging with your mouse or fingers (if on mobile). Tap the region of interest and a pop up window will appear with suburb data*

Exposure sites

Queensland Health will only release superspreader or major outbreak venues this year due to the quickly growing number of Omicron cases.

A Darling Downs Health spokeswoman said contact tracers would now prioritise vulnerable residents or those who attended high-risk venues.

“Given the rapidly rising case numbers in all parts of the state, we are asking residents of the Darling Downs Health region to assume they are at risk of developing (Covid) no matter where they are, and take precautions such as wearing a mask in public and maintaining physical distance from other people,” the spokeswoman said.

“We are still urging people to check the contact tracing page and use the Check-In App when they enter venues, especially if you are considered vulnerable.”

Residents have turned to community-run Facebook groups to share potential contact venues, but these remain unconfirmed by authorities.

The State Government adopted on Friday a nationally-agreed definition of a close contact, reducing it to a household contact or someone who spent more than four hours with a positive Covid case in a house, care facility, or other accommodation.

Confirmed cases and close contacts must quarantine for seven days from the date they tested positive or were exposed to the virus, and must have a negative rapid antigen test on Day 6 to leave.

Vaccinations

As of Monday, 91.8 per cent of South Burnett residents are fully vaccinated and 94.4 per cent have received their first dose.

More than 84.6 per cent of North Burnett residents are fully vaccinated and 86.7 per cent have received one dose.

Queensland residents are now 90.7 per cent fully vaccinated and 92.6 per cent have received one dose.

Cherbourg is one of the least vaccinated area in the state, with 78 per cent of the community having one dose and just 69 per cent fully vaccinated, according to Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council.

You can find a vaccination location below:

The Cherbourg council has reminded residents that vaccinations are occurring daily at the CRAICCHS clinic with testing available at the hospital.

Cherbourg residents are being prioritised for testing and vaccinations due to the growing case numbers expected this week.

Testing

Residents are being urged to get tested at the first sign of symptoms or potential exposure to Covid, but the rapid spread of the Omicron variant has put immense strain on testing facilities.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced last week that Queensland had secured 18 million rapid antigen tests, which will be provided for free from public testing sites in a bid to alleviate pressure on existing facilities.

You should only get a PCR test if you meet the following criteria:

• You have COVID-19 symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose or loss of taste and smell, vomiting or nausea, diarrhoea
• You have completed a positive rapid antigen test (RAT)
• You are a household contact, or household-like contact of someone who has tested COVID-19 positive, and you have symptoms OR if you cannot get a rapid antigen test.

Read which Burnett pharmacies and supermarkets are stocking RATs here.

Covid testing is no longer available at the Kingaroy Aerodrome, with the town’s hospital to facilitate testing from Wednesday.

Currently, other testing sites in the region can be found at:

• Nanango Hospital
• Murgon Hospital
• QML Pathology Kingaroy
• Cherbourg Hospital
• Gayndah Hospital
• Monto Hospital
• Mundubbera Multipurpose Health Service
  
• Eidsvold Multipurpose Health Service
  
• Biggenden Multipurpose Health Service

Originally published as Burnett Covid cases rise as qld scrapped masks, eases restriction statewide