The QAS reported a 32 per cent increase in triple-0 calls on Monday,Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said – the fourth-highest daily call volume in the state’s history.
The previous three records were in the middle of the first wave of the Omicron variant of coronavirus.
The telecommunications company had never taken such action in Queensland,according to D’Ath,but had previously in NSW and Victoria.
“Telstra does this when they consider that there could be extra demand,” D’Ath said.
She said the messaging by Telstra was initiated to ease pressure and prevent less-urgent health calls disrupting police or fire services.
The message was played only to people trying to call the QAS.
More than 3400 health staff and almost 200 QAS workers were not working because of COVID-19 infection or quarantining and isolation requirements.