In total, QLD has seen 1,668,438 cases since the start of the pandemic in 2020. Source: Annastacia Palaszczuk, Facebook.
Annastacia Palaszczuk has moved QLD’s COVID-19 status to amber after she announced that a fourth wave is hitting the state.
The current traffic light level is now on amber, meaning there are moderate rates of community transmission and that QLD is entering a new wave.
Recommendations under this tier are to wear masks in healthcare setting, indoors (if you can’t socially distance), public transport plus if you are elderly, medically at risk or around people who have COVID-19.
BREAKING: Queensland is entering a new wave so our COVID-19 traffic light system will switch from green to amber from tomorrow on advice from the Chief Health Officer.
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) November 9, 2022
It’s also been said that some venues may require you to wear a mask with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk saying, “It’s time to be alert-not alarmed”.
“The fourth wave that we have been expecting now we believe has arrived.
“We have been living with this virus for a long time and Queenslanders know what to do.”
These suggestions are not mandates but more so recommendations.
Queensland’s Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said there’s been a 58 per cent increase in active cases in the past week while aged care facilities have seen an 85 per cent increase.
“We’re seeing a bit of a mixture of viruses, a bit of a soup. There’s no clearly dominate strain at present but we are seeing growth in XBB and BQ1,” he said on Thursday.
“And BQ1 does seem to be growing particularly quickly in Queensland at the moment.
“It is the same strain that is growing very rapidly in the United States and has spread widely across Europe.”
There are currently 4,427 active cases in Queensland with over 100 people in hospital. 91.6 per cent of the state has been fully vaccinated says the state government.
Queensland is entering a new wave so our COVID-19 traffic light system will switch from green to amber from tomorrow. Health Minister @YvetteDAth and the Chief Health Officer are speaking #Covid19. https://t.co/sqdUyguo9A
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) November 10, 2022
Other states around Australia including New South Wales are on high alert for another COVID-19 surge. Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant believes it will peak again very soon.
“By looking at all the information that we have and what’s happening overseas we believe COVID cases will rise in the coming weeks.”
The advice around COVID-19 has not changed and it’s still encouraged that people register their positive RAT result, stay at home until their feeling better, and avoid places like hospitals and aged care facilities where people might be at a higher risk.
