A new model shows that hospitalizations for COVID-19 are likely to peak at the end of August at about 1,660 patients, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has revealed in parliament.
Key points:
- The Prime Minister does not expect ICU numbers to rise with the peak in hospitalizations
- It was only a week ago that the number of people hospitalized with COVID exceeded 1,000
- Ms Palaszczuk said masks and boosters were vital as the state experienced its worst COVID wave to date
The news comes as the state recorded a new record for hospitalizations today, with 1,123 people treated for the virus in hospitals, 31 people in intensive care and 21 deaths recorded in the latest reporting period.
Queensland Health confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that a 23-month-old boy died of COVID-19 at Queensland Children’s Hospital on Sunday.
The department said it would not provide further details at this stage, citing patient confidentiality.
Queensland has recorded 8,612 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the number of active cases to 66,569.
It was only a week ago that hospitalizations exceeded 1,000 for the first time.
Ms Palaszczuk said intensive care numbers were not expected to increase with hospitalizations.
Chart showing peak COVID hospitalizations from Queensland’s Omicron third wave released by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
Another 47 people are being treated in hospital for the flu.
Ms Palaszczuk said the masks and boosters were vital as the state experienced its worst wave of COVID-19 to date.
“We know this will be our biggest peak so I’m asking Queenslanders, when they’re indoors, whenever possible, to wear a mask,” he said.
“Where you can’t feel you can, social distance.
“It’s very, very important that people get that boost. The biggest impact that COVID is having is on our seniors and seniors in our community.”
The Prime Minister said in a tweet that the healthcare system would be prepared for the sharp increase in patients with COVID-19.
“Hard work is underway to ensure our healthcare system is ready for what lies ahead,” he wrote.
“Preparations include bringing extra beds online and expanding our QAS coordination centre.
“We are moving more healthcare staff to the frontline and using virtual care models to reduce the pressure on emergency services (emergency departments).
“When we face the worst, Queenslanders always step up. It’s time to come together and fight back – get vaccinated, wear a mask in crowds and indoors, and stay home if you’re sick . Thanks for looking out for each other, Queensland.”
Ms Palaszczuk, Acting Health Minister Steven Miles and Acting Health Director Peter Aitken were not available to answer questions about the latest model today.
The AMA says patient care will suffer
Australian Medical Association Queensland president Dr Maria Boulton said if the model was true, many hospital patients could be receiving poor care.
“When systems are in crisis, they can only function in crisis for a certain amount of time before patient outcomes start to decline,” Dr. Boulton said.
“So yes, it can put patients at risk depending on what the hospital’s capacity is to cope.
“We know that EDs and EDs are already doing what they can with the lack of resources that they have, but they feel very, very stretched and they feel that there will come a time when they may not be able to do it. give each patient the time the patient deserves.”
Dr. Boulton said the surge in hospitalizations for COVID-19 is having a ripple effect on an already stretched health care system.
“If you have a broken leg, if you have a heart attack, if you have a stroke, now you’re in front of a very, very busy emergency room, so it affects all of us.”
Dr Boulton, a Brisbane-based GP, said there had been a level of complacency from government authorities, health officials and members of the public.
“I’m disappointed that more hasn’t been done to plan for this at the hospital level,” he said.
“I am more disappointed that more has not been done to support general practice in this fight.
“But I’m also disappointed when I go to the shops and see that people don’t wear masks and don’t stay home when they’re sick.
“If people had the opportunity to go to an emergency room and see what it’s really like in an emergency room, you would put on a mask.”
Dr Boulton urged the State Government to do more to support health workers.
“We need decisive action and we are certainly asking the Minister for Health and the Department of Health to sit with us,” he said.
“We need to talk about the workforce, we know our workforce is under incredible strain.”
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