Southern Downs Covid-19 cases confirmed as state records spike

It’s been confirmed at least one case of Covid-19 has been detected on the Southern Downs as the state records a spike of 369 new infections. LATEST LOCAL UPDATE

It’s been confirmed at least one case of Covid-19 has been confirmed in the Southern Downs, as a huge spike in state cases has been revealed.

Queensland recorded 369 new Covid cases in the past 24 hours, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Thursday.

That is nearly double the 186 new cases announced on Wednesday.

At least one case has been detected in the Southern Downs, however Darling Downs Health did not confirm where the case was detected when approached by the Warwick Daily News.

A Queensland Health spokesperson said the department was no longer able to provide specific locations of cases.

“Given the rising number of cases, we’re unable to continue to provide detailed information on individual cases, beyond what may be provided at the daily press conference,” the spokesperson said.

“To seek to do so would pull our contact tracers off the important public health work they are doing identifying exposure venues.”

There are currently no contact tracing sites for Warwick or the Southern Downs, which suggests the case was not infectious in the community.

There was unconfirmed reports two children have tested positive.

Queensland Health told the Daily News locals should continue to monitor contact tracing sites.

“The important information to convey – from a public health perspective – rather than the details of a particular case, are exposure sites visited by COVID-19 positive persons and listed on the Queensland Health website,” the spokesperson said.

“It’s important that Queenslanders continue to monitor exposure sites, and monitor for symptoms, and come forward for testing.”

During this morning’s press conference, chief health officer Dr John Gerrard said there were 807 cases active across Queensland.

Dr Gerrard said the spread of Omicron was not only inevitable, it was necessary.

“We all have to have to develop immunity – by being vaccinated or being infected,” he said.

“Once we all have some degree of immunity, the virus becomes endemic.”

Dr Gerrard said 163 Covid cases were being managed in homes, while 93 cases were in hospital, but only one due to being sick from the virus.

Originally published as Southern Downs Covid-19 cases confirmed as state records spike