Queensland’s Chief Health Officer, Dr John Gerrard, has warned of a major COVID-19 emergency in coming weeks with hospitalisations set to rise.
As of yesterday, there were 284 people in hospital with COVID-19, and 12 in intensive care, as Queensland recorded 10,332 infections – entering five figures for the first time.
Dr Gerrard has consistently warned of sharp increases in case numbers through January, though he has forecast a quick drop-off as well.
But during that high period, he said, hospitals will be in the middle of a COVID-19 emergency.
Yesterday, Dr Gerrard reiterated his message to Queenslanders that all residents should brace for continual high caseloads, but the rate of infections in hospital is the real number of concern.
And with many people testing and self-managing at home, the true number of COVID-19 cases was hard to fathom.
“The number is increasing and is expected in the next few weeks to increase substantially,” Dr Gerrard said.
“This epidemic is looking quite a bit different from the previous epidemic where we saw a large number of patients in intensive care.”
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“The bulk” of new COVID-19 patients in Queensland continue to be young people in their 20s and 30s.
Source: 9News
