Amber status for new COVID wave

Amber status for new COVID wave

Queensland moves to Amber status as cases numbers climb

Posted on 10.11.2022

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has issued an urgent warning to the state as it stares down a fresh Covid outbreak.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has declared Queensland is entering a new Covid wave – raising the state’s emergency alert status to amber.

The amber tier is activated when there are moderate rates of community transmission and in this case relates to the state entering a new wave.

“It’s time to be alert – not alarmed,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

“The chief health officer has advised that our Covid traffic light system should switch from green to amber.”

There are now 203 people being treated for Covid in Queensland hospital – almost double what it was this time last week.

The XBB strain, which is resistant to vaccines and antibodies from previous infections, emerged in Singapore a few weeks ago.

It now makes up more than half of all Covid cases in Australia.

Over the last week, 37,097 cases of COVID-19 were reported across Australia, an average of 5,300 cases per day.

Traffic Light System

Amber (Tier 1) means there are moderate rates of community transmission and Queensland is coming off a wave or may be entering a new wave.

When the traffic light is amber, you should follow the advice for the green traffic light, and:

  • wear a mask
    • in healthcare settings
    • indoors, if you can’t socially distance
    • on public transport
    • if you are older or medically at risk
    • if you’re around people who are vulnerable to COVID-19
  • take a rapid test (RAT) every 2 days if someone in your household has COVID-19.

People who are older or have medical conditions can be more vulnerable to serious illness if they get COVID-19.

Places where it’s more likely people may have COVID-19 include healthcare settings such as hospital emergency departments and general practitioner (GP) waiting rooms.

Learn more: Traffic light advice | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government 

The traffic light system is a recommendation, with the new rules not legally enforceable unless the CHO issues a mandate.

Earlier this week, Australian chief medical officer Paul Kelly said remain tight-lipped about whether parts of the country would re-enter lockdown this Christmas.

“You know, that’s not my decision, but I don’t think that that’s likely,” Professor Kelly said on Sunrise.

Australians are urged to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations, stay home if unwell and wear a mask when in indoor public places so they can “continue to look forward to their summer plans”.

He also said Australia was in a “much better position than last year as there are plenty of tests and so forth”.

“We’ve seen these same variants go to other countries, most recently Singapore. They had a quick, sharp wave of cases, but not a lot else and then they’ve moved on,” he said.

Key points:

  • Queenslanders are advised to wear face masks on public transport and healthcare settings from tomorrow
  • Active cases have risen by 15 per cent and hospital admissions have doubled
  • The CHO says there are “significant numbers” of people who don’t have all four vaccines

 

 

 

 

 

Share

FacebookTwitter

Have a story to tell or news to share?

Let us know by Submitting a News Story

Discover Queensland

Explore all of Queensland’s adventures.

Start Exploring

What's On

Apr

17

Empowering inclusive communication webinar


Read more

Latest News

Play Our Way

Read more
Gambling Community Benefit Fund 2024

Round 121 now OPEN

Read more
Mountain bikers push space limits in regional towns

while others cash in on tourism opportunities

Read more

Become a member

We welcome membership applications from outdoor organisations and individuals

Learn More