Queensland has reported another nine coronavirus deaths as Brisbane braces fxjmtzywor the peak of the Omicron wave to hit in the coming days.
There have now been 138 virus fatalities in the Sunshine state – a figure that stood at seven deaths three weeks ago – with Wednesday’s victims all aged older than 50, none of whom had been boosted.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk reported 13,551 new cases in her morning update from Townsville – up from 9,546 cases on Tuesday.
The number of Covid patients in public Queensland hospitals has dropped from 928 to 889 with 47 of those people in intensive care, down slightly from 51.
Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard said this drop was because of the covid wave passing its peak on the Gold Coast.
However, Queenslanders have been warned the peak of the Omicron wave is on the doorstep of the state’s biggest metro area.
“Brisbane is going through its peak next week and probably Townsville the following weekend,” Dr Gerrard said on Tuesday.
“Cairns, interestingly is a little bit earlier and will probably be approaching a peak now or in the next few days. But so it‘s it’s different in different regions.”
Meanwhile, the Premier has also copped flak for delaying the government’s back-to-school plan until the education minister has recovered from Covid.
Ms Palaszczuk on Tuesday said she wanted to wait until her colleague Grace Grace had recovered before she releases the plan, which will provide more details on mask wearing, isolation, and rapid antigen testing in schools.
“I think people can understand that I’d like the Education Minister to be here for that announcement,” Ms Palaszczuk told media.
