‘Stop being selfish’: Mayor’s appeal as Covid arrives in Yarrabah

The mayor of Yarrabah has called on certain residents to “stop being selfish, stand up and get vaccinated” after a case of Covid was confirmed in the community.

THE mayor of a Far North indigenous community has called on its unvaccinated residents to “stop being selfish, stand up and get vaccinated.”

Yarrabah mayor Ross Andrews says he, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service and Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service Aboriginal Corporation are extremely concerned about the community’s ongoing low Covid vaccination rates, particularly after a staff member at Yarrabah Hospital tested positive on Monday.

As of December 20, just 56.9 per cent of Yarrabah residents were fully vaccinated, compared to 86.2 per cent in Cairns.

“People need to step up and help us to protect them and at large our very vulnerable community,” Mr Andrews said.

“We say we are all in this together but not everyone is.

“Those who have extreme views on why they will not get vaccinated, I think they are being very selfish.”

Yarrabah mayor Ross Andrews has slammed some unvaccinated residents of the town for what he called a “selfish” approach as not getting vaccinated is putting a vulnerable community as risk. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Andrews said Yarrabah’s poor levels of vaccination mean the community was incredibly vulnerable.

“We just want everyone everybody to be vaccinated,” he said.

“People seriously need to think about our families; they are putting the life of elders and vulnerable community members (at risk).”

Yarrabah’s Covid announcement came as Cairns recorded more than 200 cases in 24 hours and numbers grew across Cape York as well.

Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Suzanne Andrews said the health worker who tested positive on Friday, December 31, was fully vaccinated and is currently in home isolation.

An aerial view of Yarrabah, east of Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

“The health worker was double vaxxed, in addition to their booster shot,” Ms Andrews said.

“We encourage all Yarrabah residents if they are feeling unwell to present for testing at the fever clinic attached to the Yarrabah Hospital.”

Ms Andrews said with the announcement of the case, there had been a rise in demand for vaccinations in Yarrabah with a steady flow of residents presenting for their Covid jab, including some presenting for their first vaccination shot.

“Yarrabah residents can walk up at either the Bukki Rd Hospital or the Workshop St Clinic to receive their Covid vaccination,” she said.

“Waiting time is minimal, as we have increased our vaccination as well as our testing services to cope with the increased demand.”

Residents are reminded to keep wearing their masks in public, check in using the Queensland Check-in App and wash their hands regularly.

Originally published as ‘Stop being selfish’: Mayor’s appeal as Covid arrives in Yarrabah