Queensland has recorded 19,709 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, along with a 10 percent increase in hospitalisations.
The state has also recorded a further six deaths, including one person aged in their 20s, one in their 70s, two in their 80s and two in their 90s.
Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said all had significant underlying medical issues.
“All of these people had in fact received a vaccine, it is a reminder that even the vaccinated can get severe disease,” Dr Gerrard said.
“All of these individuals had significant underlying medical problems, and I don’t want to go into anymore detail than that out of respect for their families but our thoughts are with the families.”
There are now 649 people being treated for the virus in Queensland hospitals, with 46 of those in intensive care and 14 on ventilators.
“So there was an increase in cases in Queensland hospitals of 10 percent in the 24 hours leading up to 7pm last night,” Dr Gerrard said.
“Although this is only one day, it is what we expected and we need to look for a trend, but it is quite likely that we will continue to see this increase over the next two to three weeks.
“This is what we have been projecting and there is a good chance this is the beginning of the final surge before we reach a peak sometime over the next few weeks.”
It comes as police spent the night dismantling checkpoints, with Queensland’s border wall now finally down.
All domestic travel restrictions have been scrapped, meaning people can cross into the sunshine state without the need for a border pass, proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test.
It’s the first time in almost two years that travellers have been able to freely enter the state.
Acting Chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman admitted it’s a huge relief for everyone.
“This has been an extremely challenging time,” Acting Chief Superintendent Wildman said.
“There’s only two times in history that the New South Wales-Queensland border has been closed and that was in 1918 with the Spanish flu and from 2020-22 with COVID-19.”
Most border barricades have already been removed, with the last of the infrastructure to be completely gone by tomorrow morning.
“Our intention is all the infrastructure will be removed by 5am on Sunday,” Acting Chief Spt Wildman said.
“The only remnants left will be some flattened garden beds which will have to be fixed up by the council.”
More to come.
