The Department of Health has launched a drive for people to get up-to-date with their vaccinations due to the continuing and widespread transmission of COVID-19 in the community.
Chief Health Officer, John Gerrard said the number of positive cases had risen in the past week and were expected to keep trending upward until the fourth wave peaked.
“Reported positive cases between 30 November and 7 December reached 13,632, which is an increase of 21 per cent compared to the week prior, while the number of hospitalisations remained the same,” Dr Gerrard (pictured) said.
“It is encouraging to see the number of hospitalisations remain low in comparison to previous waves, but a large number of people aged over 60 who are not up-to-date with their vaccinations are being infected.”
He said people in this group were at significant risk of severe illness if they contracted COVID-19, so it was vital they received four doses of the vaccine.
“Queensland Health is continuing to track infections to inform its response to COVID-19. This assists in determining what impact future waves may have on the community,” Dr Gerrard said.
“More than 80 per cent of people reporting positive results in this wave are still first infections. As time goes on, it is natural that people who have not yet had COVID-19 will become infected.”
He was hopeful, however, that future waves would be even milder as hybrid immunity to COVID-19 became more widespread.
Dr Gerrard said antiviral treatments were also an effective response to COVID-19, particularly for people over the age of 70.
“Queenslanders over the age of 70 should have a plan to obtain antiviral treatments if they do get infected,” he said.
