By Dominique Tassell
The Southern Downs region has hit over 1,000 cases of Covid-19.
32 new cases were reported today, bringing the region’s total up to 1,019.
The region has recorded 189 cases in the last week, with an average of 27 cases per week though cases do seem to be trending towards over 30 a day.
There were 9,630 new cases reported in Queensland today, with 16 deaths overnight.
Of the 16 deaths, one was a child aged under 10 who Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said had a “very serious underlying rare inherited medical condition”.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said seven of those who passed away were in aged care homes.
She said it was a “high number” of deaths, bringing the state’s death toll to 219 since December 13.
87 people have died in the last week from the virus in Queensland.
Dr Gerrard said that six of the people who had died were not vaccinated, and only two had received their booster shots.
“So still that booster particularly in such a large vulnerable group is just really not adequate at this stage of the pandemic,” he said.
“We really should be seeing a much higher booster rate … that is disappointing.”
Ms D’Ath stated yesterday she is “very concerned” about the number of aged care residents who have not received a Covid-19 booster shot.
“Too many aged care residents are passing away who had not been offered a booster.”
She said she did not know how many facilities in the state had been visited for boosters.
“The Commonwealth reports that currently 100 per cent of all facilities have been visited for vaccinations, but we don’t know how many have been visited for boosters and most importantly, how many residents overall have received their booster,” she said.
“I’m hearing from people who say they’re begging managers of aged care facilities to bring people in to vaccinate their loved ones for boosters.”
Distribution of boosters to aged care homes is handled by the federal government, and Ms D’Ath said there is no specific data being released on this.
She did state that only three-quarters of aged care residents have had their booster shot.
“Is that a consent issue? Are they not telling families? Are they not planning ahead so that families can ensure consent?” she said.
“That’s not good enough to leave potentially a quarter of all residents vulnerable and at-risk and these numbers speak for themselves.”
Currently, there are 764 people in hospital as a result of Covid-19, with 49 people in intensive care and 23 people ventilated.
Dr Gerrard encouraged parents today to get their children vaccinated before going back to school next week.
“We know that the virus will spread around the schools, that’s inevitable and the more that are vaccinated the better,” Dr Gerrard said.
“I don’t want parents to be frightened but if I had a child going back to school, I would want them to be vaccinated.”
There is currently a Darling Downs Health (DDH) walk-in clinic running in Stanthorpe.
The clinic is being held at Stanthorpe Civic Centre until Friday 4 February.
The clinic will run from 8 am to 4:30 pm today and tomorrow, and run from 8 am to 12 pm on Friday.
