The number of people hospitalised with COVID-19 in Queensland has reached the highest point of the pandemic,surpassing the peak from the first Omicron-driven wave in early 2022 as Australia’s peak health advisory body called on employers to allow a return to work from home arrangements.
There were a total of 983 COVID patients in the state’s hospitals on Monday night,as health authorities nationwide also battle a tough influenza season. At the peak of the first wave in late January,928 people were in Queensland hospitals with the virus.
While influenza cases are believed to be beyond their crest,the third COVID wave — always anticipated amid the colder winter months — is not expected to peak until sometime in mid- to late-August.
In an update posted by health authorities on Tuesday,almost 10,000 new cases were reported,taking the number of known active cases above 54,000. The number of hospital patients in intensive care climbed to 24,with 18 new recorded deaths among people with the virus.
The number of reported influenza cases in the state jumped by 123 in the 24 hours to Monday night,to a total of 36,108 this year. Of the 1243 active cases,60 people were in hospital — including two in intensive care. Two new reported flu deaths took the 2022 total to 63.
But unlike in January,when broadscale mask wearing was mandated,governments nationwidehave so far agreed on a softer approach to only recommend that people in all but a few key settings wear them. Masks are still mandatory on public transport in Queensland.
In an update on Tuesday,federal Chief Health Officer Paul Kelly said the national winter wave of the virus — driven by the more immunity evading BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variants — was expected to ratchet up pressure on already strained hospitals over the coming month.
He urged everybody to remain up to date with the vaccine doses available to their situation,and follow recent Australian Health Protection Principal Committee advice towear masks when in crowded,indoor environments outside the home.