Mackay Covid: 370 new cases as total active cases closes in to 2000

Mackay, Isaac and Whitsundays records 310 new Covid cases while health authorities push for positive RAT tests to be filed. LATEST LOCAL DETAILS

Active cases in the Mackay Isaac and Whitsunday region has passed 2000 as health authorities push for those testing positive on rapid antigen tests to record results with officials.

The region recorded 310 new cases in the past 24 hours bringing the total number to 2293.

At least two new cases have been admitted into the Covid-19 Ward at Mackay Base Hospital, raising the total number of incare patients to five while the hospital treats 48 positive cases through its virtual ward.

Mackay Hospital and Health Service conducted a total of 529 tests on January 8.

A MHHS spokeswoman has reminded the community to record any positive RAT tests with authorities using this online form.

She said people should be prepared to provide the date they or someone in care tested positive, the address they will isolate at and your contact details.

A MHHS spokeswoman has reminded the community to record any positive RAT tests with authorities.

On Saturday, the total number of cases in the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region reached 1983 after an additional 370 cases were recorded in 24 hours.

Three of the 1983 active cases were being treated at the Covid-19 Ward at Mackay Base Hospital with 51 others admitted to the hospital’s Virtual Ward.

On Friday, Mackay HHS conducted 705 Covid-19 tests, with the Mackay Isaac and Whitsunday regions recording 304 new Covid cases, bringing the total active cases to 1613.

The cases also brought news elective surgeries and specialist appointments were being suspended with resources in the region being directed to battling Covid.

Despite the drop in new cases on Friday, Mackay Hospital and Health Service warned Covid was still extremely prevalent in the community.

MHHS executive director of Covid-19 Julie Rampton said the number of positive results was under reported.“We know that people are testing positive to Rapid Antigen Tests in their home, and shortly people will be asked to lodge their positive result on a website,” she said.

“This is important to help our Public Health Unit understand the amount of virus circulating in our community.

“We have had 55 staff test positive and another 40 are in home quarantine as close contacts.

The vaccination clinic at Mackay Showgrounds was overrun on Tuesday morning with people seeking a Covid-19 booster shot. Picture: Rae Wilson

“To allow the health service to focus on the growing number of patients we have suspended some business as usual.”

A number of elective surgeries, dental procedures and specialist outpatient appointments have been cancelled, with patients being contacted to organise new dates.

The MHHS recorded 653 Covid tests across the three regions on Thursday, January 6.

The virtual ward at Mackay Base Hospital is treating 53 patients, while the Covid ward has seven patients currently being treated.

Mackay LGA had a total of 581 active cases, of which more than 90 per cent were under investigation.

Seven were contracted locally but through an unknown source, and 13 had an identified source.

Another 24 were linked to either domestic or international travel.

The Whitsundays recorded 469 active cases to Thursday, with 430 under investigation and 19 locally acquired with no known source.

The infection source for 12 was known, while seven were linked to international travel.

Isaac’s case numbers rose slightly to 78 total active, but only three had a known source of infection.

MHHS vaccinated 621 people on Wednesday, which meant the health service had administered a total of 118,024 jabs.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk again urged people to get vaccinated in her press conference on Friday, putting Mackay on a pedestal for vaccination rates.

“I’ve been looking at our map of where people are vaccinated,” she said.

“Can I do a big shout out to Mackay – 95 per cent.

“If you remember, Mackay was one of our lowest regional centres when we first started the campaign to get people vaccinated.

“Cairns as well 92.9 per cent, Wide Bay 94.1 per cent, around Brisbane and the south east nearly every region is over 90 per cent except for the Gold Coast.”

The Queensland Government is discussing delaying the return of schools because of the rising case numbers, with the state recording 10,953 new positive results.

The vaccination clinic at Mackay Showgrounds was overrun on Tuesday morning with people seeking a Covid-19 booster shot. Picture: Rae Wilson

Monday Mackay Covid-19 figures

Mackay health executives have asked the region’s residents to limit travel as daily figures continue to climb and patients were admitted into hospital.

There were 136 new cases recorded across the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac regions on January 3.

The total active cases in the region has also increased, and now sits at 565.

Mackay Base Hospital is treating two positive patients in its Covid ward onsite, as well as providing 57 others with telehealth through its virtual ward.

Townsville University Hospital’s virtual ward is also caring for 19 patients.

The Covid-19 testing site in Mackay on December 22, 2021. Picture: Lillian Watkins

As of 7pm Sunday, January 2, Mackay has 168 active cases, with 10 locally acquired with a known source, 22 from overseas travel, and two from interstate travel.

However, four cases have been reported as mystery cases, while 130 are under investigation.

Whitsunday currently has 227 active cases, with eight locally acquired with a known source and seven from overseas travel.

But 13 cases have been reported as mystery cases while 199 are under investigation.

Isaac has 24 active cases, with three locally acquired with a known source, and 21 currently under investigation.

Mackay Hospital and Health Services acting chief executive Terry Johnson said limited movement would help stop the spread of Covid.

“We’re asking the community to please do the right thing as our positive case numbers continue to increase each day,” she said.

“Please limit where you go and when you do go out in public please wear your mask, sanitise your hands and check in on the app.

“If you come for testing at a health service facility please be patient as there is high demand.”

Queensland recorded another 6781 cases on Wednesday, bringing the total cases in the state to 29,418.

Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard said he expected all Queenslanders would be exposed to Covid within weeks.

“All of us are going to be exposed in the next few weeks,” he said.

“We know this strain is particularly contagious.”

A Gold Coast man, aged in his 30s, died suddenly to “probable Covid” in his home on Monday.

It is believed the man was fully vaccinated,

Dr Gerrard said the death was “very unusual” and a coroner report was being prepared.

Queensland chief health officer Dr John Gerrard during a press conference in Brisbane. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“All I would say very strongly is that it’s very, very unusual for a young man to die suddenly from Covid-19,” he said.

“It needs further investigation of exactly what happened here.

“The vast, vast majority of people with Covid-19, particularly young people, have mild illness, particularly if they are vaccinated.”

Originally published as Mackay Covid: 370 new cases as total active cases closes in to 2000