By Jeremy Cook
Southern Downs residents have been reminded to stay home if sick and keep up to date with vaccinations as the country’s latest Covid-19 waves starts to stabilise.
An estimated 58 Covid cases were reported across the Southern Downs in the past three months, reaching a peak of 29 infections in November, according to data published by Queensland Health.
Weekly case totals steadily rose throughout the state during November, reaching 1687 for the week starting 20 November, replicating trends felt in other Australian jurisdictions.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Brisbane last Tuesday, Queensland’s chief health officer Dr John Gerrard said health officials expected case numbers to decline in the coming weeks.
“Covid case numbers have slowed over the last two weeks,” Dr Gerrard said.
“The number of patients in hospital with Covid has remained fairly static… over the same period, over the last two weeks, between about 200 and 230 cases in hospital.”
Dr Gerrard said it had become clear that Covid-19 waves were becoming more mild, though warned against complacency.
“The waves are becoming much less distinct. In fact, they’re more like aftershocks than waves,” he said.
“But we still strongly advise anyone over the age of 65 who has not received a booster this year or had natural infection to go out and get a booster now, because it’s still around.
“It’s still there, it will still keep coming back.”
A spokeswoman for Darling Downs Health said there were steps community members could take to protect themselves from the disease.
“Being a respiratory illness, Covid-19 is easily transmitted, most people will only develop a mild illness and recover quickly,” the spokeswoman said.
“As with any respiratory illness, there are few simple steps you can follow to prevent viruses from spreading.
“Stay home if you are sick, wash your hands regularly, cover your coughs and sneezes, and keep up to date with your seasonal vaccinations.”
