Another nine people have died from the coronavirus in Queensland – including an 18-year-old with significant underlying conditions – as the state reports 16,812 new infections.
Thursday’s update revealed Covid hospitalisations in the Sunshine State have risen from 835 to 850, while there are now 48 Covid patients in intensive care, down from 52 in the past 24 hours.
Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard told media in Brisbane that the 18-year-old who died had significant underlying conditions.
The other deaths included one person in their 70s, five in their 80s, one in their 90s and one over 100.
Three deaths were unvaccinated.
Queensland’s latest daily case numbers were down on Wednesday’s tally of 19,932, and below the record 23,617 a week ago.
There are 91,306 active cases.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles also announced the controversial Wellcamp quarantine facility at Toowoomba is set to activate, with 500 beds available in February.
The first 250-bed pod will be used for travellers who need to quarantine, and the second is for Queenslanders whose accommodation is not suitable for isolation.
Meanwhile, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Assistant Commissioner Joanne Greenfield had been named as the state’s first quarantine commissioner.
The state has now recorded 72 Covid deaths over the entirety of the pandemic, a tally that has leapt from seven deaths just two weeks ago when Omicron began flooding across the border.
Thursday’s update follows Wednesday’s announcement that fully vaccinated overseas arrivals will be welcome to fly into the state from 1am on Saturday.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the impending arrival of international visitors should not add extra stress to a buckling health system, declaring the move as an act of certainty for businesses and families separated from loved ones.
New arrivals are being asked to do a rapid antigen test within 24 hours as a safety measure, with positive tests urged to isolate or go and see a doctor.
“Like I said, there‘s more virus circulating in Australia at the moment than there would be on a plane load coming in from a different country,” Ms Palaszczuk told reporters.
“I don’t think it will have a big impact on case numbers.”
Elsewhere on Thursday, NSW reported 25 new Covid deaths and Victoria 15.
