Queensland’s COVID-19 death toll has risen again overnight, with a further nine people passing away.
One person was aged just 18-years-old, another was aged in their 70s, five were aged in their 80s, one person was in their 90s and one was aged over 100.
Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said the teen who passed away had significant underlying medical problems.
“Of these nine people, three were vaccinated, five were double vaccinated and one had a booster,” Dr Gerrard said.
There are now 850 people being treated for the virus in hospital, up from 835 yesterday.
Of those, 48 are intensive care, with 20 requiring a ventilator.
In the past 24 hours, Queensland has also recorded another 16,812 new COVID-19 cases.
It takes the total number of active cases across the state to 91,206.
The Health Minister has warned people on the Gold Coast that the peak of Omicron is likely to hit within days.
“They will be the first region to actually see the peak happen, which we are expecting in a matter of days on the Gold Coast,” Yvette D’Ath said.
“I visited the Gold Coast University Hospital yesterday and they told me that in their testing clinics next door, they are seeing about 70% of people coming forward now being positive”.
Minister D’Ath said there are currently seven dedicated COVID-19 wards across the Gold Coast University Hospital and Robina Hospital, with plans to open additional wards in the coming days.
“It just shows you how contagious this virus is,” Ms D’Ath said.
Meantime, the Deputy Premier has confirmed that the Wellcamp quarantine facility in Toowoomba will be up and running next month.
Around 500 beds will be made available in February, which will be separated into two different pods.
One pod will be used for unvaccinated travellers who still need to quarantine, with the cost to remain the same as hotel quarantine.
While the other pod will be used for Queenslanders who are directed into isolation because their accommodation is not suitable.
“We don’t currently charge people who are directed to isolate,” Steven Miles said.
The state will continue to use a number of quarantine hotels, including on the Gold Coast.
“International arrivals into the Gold Coast and Cairns, we expect to continue to use hotels there,” Deputy Premier Miles said.
