170 new cases of Covid-19 recorded in Central Queensland

Queensland Health has responded to reports of a five-day delay in Covid-19 test results in Central Queensland. The region recorded 170 new cases in the past 24 hours. Here’s all you need to know.

Queensland Health has responded to claims there were backlogs up to five days for Covid-19 test results in Gladstone and Emerald, stating that PCR testing demand escalated quickly in Queensland in December and continued to place pressure on hospital and health services and private pathology providers.

A Queensland Health spokesman said private providers with existing arrangements in place with Queensland Health are now progressively returning to full capacity following the Christmas and New Year period.

“This will help ease the workload on clinics over the coming days and weeks, along with removing the day five PCR testing requirement for those entering Queensland, changes to the definitions of close and casual contacts, and expanded use of Rapid Antigen Testing,” the spokesman said.

“Until that time Queenslanders may continue to experience significant delays during this period as providers return to capacity.”

Covid-19 infection numbers continue to rise in Central Queensland with 170 new cases recorded across the region in the past 24 hours, according to CQ Health.

Out of the 170 new confirmed cases in Central Queensland residents, the Rockhampton Regional Council area recorded 67, Gladstone Regional Council area recorded 34, Livingstone Shire recorded 34 and Central Highlands Regional Council area recorded 11.

In the Banana Shire Council area there were 17 new cases recorded and three recorded in Woorabinda.

Four people with a Central Queensland address were also diagnosed elsewhere.

On Sunday, there was one patient in Rockhampton Hospital Covid ward in a stable condition.

Gladstone MP Glenn Butcher said Queenslanders were being asked to report their positive rapid antigen test online at www.qld.gov.au/rat-positive.

Mr Butcher said this would enable better support while isolating at home.

“When you register your result you’ll also receive information from the chief health officer on what steps to take now that you are positive,” he said.

Across the state, there have been 18,000 new recorded cases in the past 24 hours, with more than 4000 from people who are registering the results of rapid antigen tests at home.

There are 402 people in hospital, including 22 in ICU and five who are on ventilators.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Sunday the start of the school year in Queensland would move from Monday, January 24 to Monday, February 7 to avoid opening schools during the predicted peak of the Omicron wave and to allow more time for children to receive their Covid-19 vaccinations.

Ms Palaszczuk said modelling showed the likely peak of Omicron cases would be in the last week of January and the first week of February.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk during a press conference in Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

Critical Queensland workers will also be able to provide essential services while they are classified close contacts provided they meet strict health criteria.

Ms Palaszczuk said the move was restricted to a narrow range of industries to ensure essential services and supplies like groceries, petrol, energy, water, freight and others could continue.

Many butchers in the region today closed their doors – one reporting it was the first time ever they had to close their doors due to lack of stock.

As Covid numbers continued to rise in the region and flooding over the Bruce Highway at Gympie resulted in trucks unable to bring fresh grocery items and grocery shelves were stripped bare over the week.

Workers will need to be fully vaccinated, must wear a mask, and must also be asymptomatic.

Critical or essential workers who are eligible and are able to work during the usual close contact quarantine period will be required to travel to and from work in a private vehicle, while travelling and working, wear appropriate PPE, maintain personal hygiene, undertake regular symptom surveillance, and undertake a rapid antigen test on day six, consistent with the requirements for all close contacts.

If at any stage they develop symptoms, they need to return to quarantine immediately.

Originally published as 170 new cases of Covid-19 recorded in Central Queensland