With the high point of Queensland’s latest wave of COVID still weeks away, there is concern that several major events have the potential to become “super propagators” that put more pressure on the state’s already widespread health care system. .
Key points:
- Queensland today recorded almost a record number of deaths and hospitalizations for COVID-19
- Doctors warn that there is a high risk of “super spread” events.
- Ventilation in schools is considered “absolutely crucial”
Queensland has recorded 22 COVID-related deaths in the last recording period, just two below the record number of fatalities per COVID in a single day.
The current peak is also approaching other all-time highs, with 921 people in hospital with COVID in Queensland on Saturday, just seven less than the state’s all-time high of 928.
Fourteen patients are in intensive care.
Infectious disease doctor Paul Griffin said the increase in the number of hospitalizations paints a clearer picture of the state’s burden.
“If you want to know if this is an important event, I think that number reflects the fact that it really is,” Dr. Griffin said.
“Hospitalizations that are growing as fast as this, especially in the context of a healthcare workforce that is decimated with infections and people outside … is a big challenge right now.”
More than 5,795 new cases were reported on Saturday and there are about 46,100 active cases statewide, but many more cases are expected to be unregistered by authorities.
He said the increase, driven by the new ultra-contagious BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, was worrisome and reflects the severity of the current wave.
“Case numbers [going up] every day… [only] it tells a part of the story, ”Dr. Griffin said.
Professor Paul Griffin says positive cases do not represent the whole picture. (AAP: Mater)
Queensland Health Director John Gerrard said the situation will get worse before it improves, with the current peak wave not expected until early August, still three weeks away.
Hospital admissions increase
COVID cases are on the rise across Australia and Queensland currently has the second highest number of hospitalizations in the country.
It has considerably more people hospitalized with COVID than Victoria, which reported about 750 hospitalizations on Friday.
Dr. Griffin said it was probably due to a combination of factors, including reinfection rates and a low absorption of reinforcement in Queensland, one of the worst in the country.
“There are so many things that contribute to these figures … maybe the fact that people have had more exposure to the virus before [in Victoria] it can confer some additional immunity, “Dr. Griffin said.
“Queensland had a zero COVID strategy that … was relatively effective until maybe until the end of December, so maybe there were fewer previous infections here, so less immunity contribution from previous infections.
“And measures … to control the transmission and absorption of these in terms of mask, social distancing and ventilation; I think maybe we would be one of the states that is probably doing a little worse.”
Risk of “super diffuser”.
Living with COVID has meant the return of major events to Queensland.
Last week, the state hosted the home state decision, a Wallabies test match and the Big Red Bash in Birdsville, where several attendees reported that they gave positive days after attending the festival of music.
Thousands of Queenslanders will head to Byron Bay’s Splendor in the Grass festival next weekend for the first time in two years, while Brisbane’s Ekka, who is also returning from a forced pandemic break, begins the first week of August.
Dr. Griffin said there was “absolutely” potential for these events to worsen the impact of the current wave.
“Right now, any gathering of people is potentially a broadcast event,” Dr. Griffin said.
“The only situation where there is no zero risk is when you are alone and not close to anyone.
“We know there is less risk outdoors … but the risk is not zero, especially if you are in crowded areas.”
Dr. Griffin said the state is likely to see an increase in the number of COVID cases about two to six days after a major event and called for people to stay home if they are sick or positive. .
“We need people to realize right now; we’re not trying to spread fear, but we really need people to understand that we need to respond to this current situation,” Dr. Griffin said.
“Just the simple things: vaccination, antivirals if you are eligible … wear a mask, social distance when possible.
“We need all these simple things to come back, at least for a few weeks, until we get it back in control.”
Indoor ventilation is a “proven” measure to slow the spread
The school has been back in Queensland for a week and classrooms have been places of COVID spread in the past, with a significant number of outbreaks in previous waves.
Dr. Griffin said air ventilation is a proven and effective measure to reduce the spread of COVID to indoor areas.
Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace says all classrooms in the state have air conditioning. (ABC News: Marton Dobras)
Education Minister Grace Grace said a working committee, which included state and non-governmental education stakeholders, is still investigating ventilation in Queensland schools.
Air quality and health expert Lidia Morawska said that while preventative measures such as hand hygiene are important, there was an urgent need to improve natural airflow and implement filtration systems. of air in schools.
“The virus passes through the air, is in the air and must be removed by ventilating the air,” Professor Morawska said.
“This has been recognized internationally and by other Australian states, it is very surprising that the Queensland government continues to insist on the old measures.
“I see no evidence that the government is acting to reduce airborne transmission in schools in any significant way.”
Ms Grace said all of Queensland’s classrooms, staff rooms and libraries were fully air-conditioned with units that provided fresh air.
Associate Professor Donna Green of the University of New South Wales said indoor air quality in schools is “absolutely crucial”.
“One of the oversight events across the country was through school children,” he said.
“Unfortunately, they share the air between staff and other families and other children and take it home … and the cycle continues.
“I find it mind-boggling and many other health professionals and public health policymakers cannot understand why we are not taking this approach to protecting the health of children and also the community at large.”