Darling Down has highest Covid fatality rate across QLD as 107 gone too soon

In a devastating turn of events, the region has gained a new title against the rest of the state, while The Chronicle looks back at the faces we have lost. Details here.

The Darling Downs has the highest Covid fatality rate across Queensland as the region reaches a devastating milestone.

The Darling Downs has lost 107 people to Covid-19 since the pandemic began – 77 in less than two months.

It would take more than five years of Darling Downs road deaths to reach this tally, based on previous figures.

The region lost its first resident to coronavirus on March 25, 2020.

His name was Garry Kirstenfeldt.

Garry Kirstenfeldt died after contracting COVID-19.

Mr Kirstenfeldt, 68, contracted the virus while on board the Royal Caribbean cruise ship and passed away at the Toowoomba Hospital.

“The 68-year-old man had a serious underlying medical condition before contracting the virus,” a Queensland Health spokesman told The Chronicle at the time.

The total number of Queensland Covid cases in March 2020 was 493; now more than 1.5 million Queenslanders have had the virus.

Des Williams was the second resident to die from Covid-19, on April 1, 2020.

Des Williams died at Toowoomba Hospital after contracting the coronavirus on the Ruby Princess.

Mr Williams, 85, was a Uniting Church reverend and contracted the virus while on-board the infamous Ruby Princess cruise ship.

He passed away at the Toowoomba Hospital.

Due to a spike in deaths over the past year, Queensland Health stopped announcing details of those who died, however two prominent residents, a husband and wife, recently passed away in Toowoomba.

Don and Patricia Talbot died a week apart at the Toowoomba Hospital after contracting the virus.

Don and Patricia Talbot passed away within a week of each other from Covid-19 complications. Thursday, July 28, 2022. Picture: contributed.

Mr Talbot, 89, was a renowned author and former journalist who sadly died on July 16, 2022.

His wife, Pat, later died from the virus on July 23. Both were fully vaccinated.

Analysis by The Chronicle found the Darling Downs Health and Hospital sector had the highest fatality rate for Covid-related deaths across the state.

Based on deaths against confirmed cases, the region’s rate sat at 0.4 per cent.

Darling Downs has the highest Covid fatality rate across all Queensland Health sectors.

The Gold Coast is 0.26 per cent, while Brisbane’s metro north and south was 0.19 per cent and 0.29 per cent respectively.

On average, Queensland has a fatality rate of 0.1 per cent, with 1590 residents confirmed to have died from the virus.

The Darling Downs have seen a spike in Covid-related deaths in recent months.

A Darling Downs Health spokeswoman urged residents to wear masks, stay at home if sick, register positive RATs and stay up to date with vaccinations.

“Older Queenslanders have an increased risk of becoming ill from Covid-19 and are more vulnerable to serious complications if infected,” the spokeswoman said.

“Please stay at home if you are under the weather.”

In six days, the Darling Downs has lost 10 residents, and had 416 positive cases confirmed.

Data comes after Queensland Health admitted to a major error in the reporting of cases and deaths across regional Queensland.