Toowoomba region on Covid-19 alert amid opened borders

Darling Downs department and council officials are preparing for a potential Covid-19 outbreak as tens of thousands of interstate travellers arrive into Queensland.

Registered nurse Di Utschink at the Covid clinic at Clifford Gardens shopping centre. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Darling Downs health authorities and local government leaders are bracing for a surge in Covid-19 cases as tens of thousands of interstate travellers arrive into Queensland during the first week of borders re-opening.

Up to 50,000 people were estimated to arrive in the Sunshine State since the borders re-opened to New South Wales on Monday, and Toowoomba mayor Paul Antonio said the prospect of an outbreak in the region had become “much higher” this festive season.

“As an organisation, council is preparing a Covid-Safe Response Plan which will have a tiered-approach on how we deal with the consequences of events ranging from a small number of cases, through to a large-scale outbreak at council,” Cr Antonio said.

“While the Queensland Government, and in particular, the chief health officer, is responsible for determining pandemic-related public health policy and regulations, we will continue to comply with all Public Health Directives issued from the State Government.”

Darling Downs Health acting chief executive Annette Scott recently told The Chronicle the department had seven negative pressure rooms and additional HEPA filtered air extraction rooms in the Toowoomba Hospital to support suspected COVID-19 cases.

Seven additional negative pressure rooms are also available across rural hospitals in the district.

“We are prepared to respond to the health and wellbeing needs of our local communities,” a Darling Downs Health spokesperson said.

“We work closely with government organisations and other non-government agencies to ensure people have access to the services they require.

“People can be confident we have plans in place to respond effectively, if needed, to emerging public health situations.

“Contingency plans cover a range of scenarios and are designed to be flexible.”

Cr Antonio has urged residents to remain vigilant in response to the pandemic ahead of further unprecedented times.

“This includes measures such as, but not limited to, physical distancing, staying home and being Covid tested if unwell, wearing face masks, using hand sanitiser, washing hands and using the Covid check-in process,” he said.

According to the Australian Government, 85.3 per cent of eligible Toowoomba district residents have received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, with 93.1 per cent receiving the first dose, as of last Sunday.

“It’s pleasing to see that more than 85 per cent of our residents are fully vaccinated, which places the Toowoomba region in the top 10 local government areas in Queensland,” Cr Antonio said.

“Based on the health advice we’ve received from worldwide health professionals and the state’s chief health officer, I personally believe vaccination is our best form of prevention and minimising severity of infection.

“With booster shots now becoming available, I intend to get my third vaccination as soon as I’m able to.”

Almost 2000 tests were administered by Darling Downs Health between December 6 and December 12.

Locals are urged to present to the closest testing site if they present with symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, diarrhoea, loss of smell and/or taste, shortness of breath, fatigue, vomiting and nausea.

People are also encouraged to visit the Queensland Health website prior to travelling this festive season.