Queensland has recorded 15,122 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, as health officials plead for people to get their booster shots.
The state has also recorded a further seven deaths in the past 24 hours, involving two people in their 80s and five in their 90s.
“Two of these people had not been vaccinated, five were double vaccinated and zero had received a booster,” Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said.
“Our thoughts are with their families today”.
There are now 702 people being treated for the virus in hospitals across the state, up from 670 in the previous 24 hours.
“So quite a jump, 50 additional people in hospitals, thankfully, we don’t see the corresponding increase in ICU,” Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said.
“But we want the least amount of people needing to be hospitalised, and it comes down to getting your vaccination and your booster shot”.
Of those in hospital, 47 are in intensive care, with 15 on ventilators.
The State’s top doctor said the Gold Coast continues to see the most hospitalisations, with a stark warning the city will begin to hit its peak of cases within the next week.
“We are expecting the Gold Coast to peak sometime in the next week or so, then Brisbane will follow shortly thereafter,” Dr Gerrard said.
“So looking at what happens on the Gold Coast, we will be able to predict to some extent what will happen in Brisbane in just a few days”.
Health Officials are pleading for Queenslanders, especially the vulnerable, to come forward and get their booster shot.
“I am still very concerned that there are vulnerable people, elderly people who have not received their third dose of vaccine, Ms D’Ath told reporters on Monday.
“I would have thought the statistics alone would have encouraged people to get a booster.
“Of the 29 deaths we have had since the 13 December, we have gone back and looked at the data, and just one person out of those 29 who tested positive and lost their life had their booster”.
It comes as Queensland inches closer to the 90 per cent double dose vaccination target, which will trigger the reopening of international travel.
Our vax-rate currently stands at 91.59 per cent first dose and 88.71 per cent second dose.
Meantime, the state’s Education Minister has confirmed the school year will now finish as planned on December 9, not December 16.
Students were due to do another week of study to make up for the delay to the start of term one, but Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace said that’s no longer the case.
“I wish to advise that after some very constructive, helpful and productive meetings with the Queensland teachers union, unions and key stakeholders, I am satisfied that the full curriculum can now be delivered in the condensed semester,” Minister Grace said.
“That is over the next two terms.
“This means that the proposed extra week at the end of the school year will not be required.”
