Queensland has recorded another 6,596 COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths as the number of infected children continues to rise.
Health officials have not been able to release any details about the age or vaccination status of those who passed away, saying there had been a delay in receiving the data.
While there was an increase in case numbers on the previous 24-hour reporting period, Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said hospitalisations continued to “improve significantly”.
There are now 404 people receiving treatment for the virus in public hospitals, which is down from 462 yesterday. 36 of those are in ICU.
A further 28 people are being treated in private hospitals.
There has been a sharp increase in positive infections in school-aged children, just over a week since the school year began.
1,905 kids aged 5-17 have tested positive in the last 24 hours, up from 1,587 the day before.
The Chief Health Officer said the numbers aren’t hugely concerning at this stage.
“We had larger numbers only two or three weeks ago and we are not seeing increases among hospitalisations in children,” he said.
“The bigger concern when children get infected is the risk to their parents and their grandparents.”
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the education sector as a whole was dealing well with the rise in cases.
“Schools are still managing very well,” Minister D’Ath said.
“There hasn’t been a need to have any classes quarantining and, of course, there’s been no school closures which is great news.”
