Queensland has recorded its deadliest day of the pandemic with 21 COVID-related deaths in the last 24 hours.
All deaths were aged over 60 with seven of those aged care residents.
Four were unvaccinated and only two had received a booster.
“It just distresses me greatly every day to be reporting on older Queenslanders who are dying without having received the booster,” Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said.
“We know that the booster, that third dose of vaccine, is absolutely critical in protecting us, particularly older people from more severe disease, hospitalisation, intensive care admission and death.
“I just can’t state this often enough.”
The state recorded an increase in cases overnight with 8,508 new infections, up from 6,857 cases on Friday.
The number of patients in public hospitals has fallen slightly from 732 to 727.
There are currently 46 people in ICU.
Dr Gerrard said despite an increase in cases, the peak of the Omicron wave has passed in Queensland.
“But, the virus is absolutely everywhere in Queensland. It’s in every corner of Queensland and we know large numbers of people carry the virus and have no symptoms,” Dr Gerrard said.
“So there is no way that you can avoid being exposed to this virus in the coming weeks, it’s inevitable.”
More to come.
