Yarrabah and other remote Aboriginal communities hit hard by Covid
The first Covid explosion has hit an under-vaccinated Aboriginal town as remote communities across the Far North record dramatic infection increases.
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UPDATE 10:40AM
YARRABAH has now recorded 17 positive cases of Covid.
A Gurriny Yealamucka Health Services Aboriginal Corporation spokesman confirmed the increase after nine cases were initially announced earlier on Wednesday/
“There are now 17 positive Covid cases here in Yarrabah and 12 households affected by Covid,” he said.
“With the sharp increase in numbers overnight, residents have been presenting to the Yarrabah Fever Clinic attached to the hospital for urgent testing.”
Jasmine Keyes, a Yarrabah community member, presented this morning to the Fever Clinic for testing, after the news late yesterday of the community members testing positive.
“I was concerned for myself and my family so I needed to come and get tested today,” Ms Keyes said.
“I’m fully vaccinated along with my family and we need to stay safe.”.
Gurriny Yealamucka Chief Medical Officer, Dr Jason King is calling for residents to come forward for testing.
“If you have Covid symptoms please come immediately to the Yarrabah Fever Clinic for urgent testing,” he said.
“You need to isolate until you have your results.
“The Fever Clinic is currently screening using Rapid Antigen Tests, and escalating to PCR testing where necessary.”
Dr King said Yarrabah residents are advised to limit their travel through the community and stay home or in small groups.
He said the local vaccination rollout continues in Yarrabah with vaccinations available at Bukki Road in addition to the Workshop Road Clinic.
Meanwhile, a Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service spokesman said they were no supply issues for residents regarding accessing a rapid antigen test.
“In the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, testing is available at all health facilities in the region through a combination of Rapid Antigen Tests and Polymerase Chain Reaction tests, depending on individual requirements.” he said.
“There is no issue with availability of tests.
“Testing is offered to three categories of people; People who have symptoms, including fever, sore throat, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea or lack of taste or smell, people who are identified as close contacts of Covid cases and people who have been identified and referred for testing by the Torres and Cape Hositpal and Health Service public health team.”
Earlier:
HUNDREDS of residents in remote and regional Far North communities have been diagnosed with Covid as the fallout of ex-Tropical Cyclone Tiffany throws up new obstacles to Cape York clinic access.
Gurriny Yealamucka Health Services has confirmed 17 new cases have been detected in Yarrabah.
It has been a dramatic rise for the Aboriginal community near Cairns which had zero cases as recently as Monday, according to Queensland Health reports.
“Each of these people is in isolation at home,” a Gurriny Yealamucka spokesman said.
“The source of the infection has yet to be confirmed.”
The spokesman said Gurriny Yealamucka and the Yarrabah Emergency Service had increased testing and vaccination services.
Only 64.7 per cent of Yarrabah residents aged 15 and over had been double-vaccinated as of Monday, compared to 90.1 per cent for Cairns.
A total of 516 new cases were added to the Cairns and Hinterland health region’s total on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service chief executive Beverley Hamerton confirmed the pandemic was maintaining its grip on vulnerable communities
with Thursday Island, Cooktown and Lakeland heavily impacted.
“As at last night, there were 228 active Covid-19 cases within the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service region,” she said.
“Active case numbers are fluctuating as cases are discharged from their one-week quarantine and new cases come on.”
Ms Hamerton said, as of Tuesday evening, there were 42 cases in Weipa, 22 at Thursday Island, 37 at Lakeland and 57 at Cooktown.
“All the active cases are being managed at home and all identified close contacts also are being managed appropriately,” she said.
“Vaccination continues to be our best protection against Covid-19.
“However, please note that weather conditions resulting from the passage of ex-Cyclone Tiffany are affecting some of our clinics on Cape York and we ask for people’s understanding as we work as quickly as possible to resume these.”
It is understood that some people in the communities were unable to access clinics due to adverse road conditions which also impacted staff and supplies.
Across the state, Queensland Health reported there were 20,566 new cases in the past 24 hours.
Active Known Covid-19 Cases as of 12 January 2022
Yarrabah – 9
Weipa – 42
Thursday Island – 22
Lakeland – 37
Cooktown – 57
Coen – 5
Bamaga – 15
Umagico – 2
Rossville – 2
Wujal Wujal – 5
Lockhart River – 18
Horn Island – 4
Hope Vale – 2
Bloomfield – 6
Warraber Island – 1
Skardon River – 6
Injinoo – 2
Aurukun – 2
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