Queensland Hospitals have been advised to only allow health workers who have been immunised against COVID-19 to work with patients being treated or tested for the virus.
Queensland Health Minister, Yvette D’Ath said there were now 78 active cases in the state’s hospitals.
“The reality is that we have a large number of positive cases in our hospitals now,” Ms D’Ath said.
Last week, 20,000 doses of the vaccine were administered.
Ms D’Ath said the vaccination rollout would now be “ramped up” following the detection of a further eight cases of the UK-variant of the virus today – and a further two in quarantine.
There are now two confirmed clusters of the virus in the state.
A male ‘entertainer’ who attended a hen’s party in Byron Bay has tested positive and is part of the second cluster, the state’s chief health officer, Jeannette Young said today.
The first cluster is linked to the doctor at Princess Alexandra Hospital. This first cluster now has a further five cases linked to it.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk fronted the media this morning to confirm the new cases.
“I know this is tough times but I know we will all get through this together,” she said.
There have been more than 14,000 tests conducted in the state in the last 24 hours.
“If you have any symptoms, now is the time to go and get tested. We need to rule out any further community transmission,” the Premier said.
