Queensland novel coronavirus (COVID-19) update

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4 May 2020

Queensland has three new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

HHS* Active cases Recovered casesDeaths Total confirmed
cases to date
Cairns and Hinterland 3 30 0 33
Central Queensland 0 8 0 8
Central West 0 0 0 0
Darling Downs 0 40       2 42
Gold Coast 9 183 0 192
Mackay 0 15 0 15
Metro North 18 294 3 315
Metro South 15 239 0 254
North West 0 0 0 0
South West 0 0 0 0
Sunshine Coast 3 90 1 94
Torres and Cape 0 0 0 0
Townsville 2 22 0 24
West Moreton 1 36 0 37
Wide Bay 1 23 0 24
Overseas 0 0 0 0
Total5298061038**

* HHS level case data may include a patient’s residential address, Public Health Unit managing or location where test was ordered.

** Changes may occur in the number of notifications reported from day to day. This is due to ongoing maintenance and update of notification details as new information becomes available, or where discrepancies are detected through data quality assurance activities.

Queensland Health’s Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young reminded all Queenslanders to continue practising social distancing and good hygiene.

“Overall we saw most people abided by the social distancing regulations over the weekend after we eased restrictions to allow Queenslanders to leave their homes for recreation within a 50km radius,” Dr Young said.

“However, we did see some instances of people in crowded public areas and not adhering to social distancing.

“You should only be socialising with members of your household or one other person when leaving your home, or you can have two visitors visit your home.

“If the place you plan to visit is crowded when you get there and you can’t easily exercise the 1.5 metre social distancing rule, then you should go to another location or visit at a less busy time.

“While Queensland has continued to record very low numbers of new cases over the past week, we cannot be complacent and it’s so important that we continue to exercise social distancing, good hygiene and comply with all the restrictions in place, as well as staying home if you’re unwell,” she said.

All travellers entering Australia or entering Queensland from a declared COVID-19 hotspot are reminded they must self-quarantine for 14 days to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

The self-quarantine duration of 14 days is based on advice from the World Health Organization (WHO), which currently estimates that the incubation period of COVID-19 ranges from one to 14 days, with a median incubation period of five to six days.

After you finish your quarantine period, make sure you continue to monitor your health closely.

If you begin to feel unwell, you must contact a doctor immediately.

The Queensland Government announced today that students in kindy, prep, year one, and years 11 and 12 can return to school on May 11.

Dr Young said current evidence suggests students, teachers and other school staff are safe with a staggered return to school-based learning.

“Queenslanders have done extraordinarily well in slowing the progress of the virus. The efforts of parents, children and school staff have been a significant contribution to this,” Dr Young said.

“The Department of Education has gone to significant lengths to prepare schools for a safe return to school-based learning, including putting in place multiple measures to assist with social distancing.

“The return of kindy, prep, year one, and years 11 and 12 ahead of other grades will allow schools to practice, assess and refine the effectiveness of these measures,” she said.

Currently, 972 of the 1,038 confirmed cases had recently travelled overseas or had close contact with a confirmed case, such as their partner or flatmate.

A total of 116,650 tests for COVID-19 have been undertaken in Queensland, with 1,052 tests undertaken in the previous 24 hours.

Queensland’s testing criteria has been expanded so that anyone in the state who has a fever (or history of fever) or acute respiratory symptoms can get tested.

If you are unwell and you meet the above criteria, you should contact a doctor immediately. Your doctor will decide if you need to be tested for COVID-19.

Before your appointment, please call ahead and tell them about your symptoms so they can prepare for your visit.

Most Queenslanders who have contracted COVID-19 have experienced mild symptoms. Currently, nine of the 52 active confirmed cases are in hospital, with four of these in intensive care. The remainder of active cases are currently recovering at home.

A total of 980 Queenslanders (94% of total cases) have now recovered from COVID-19.

Contact tracing continues for recent cases. Queensland Health will notify the community if any public health alerts are required.

We want everyone to continue playing their part to protect themselves and the more vulnerable in our community. Please continue to follow the recommended advice from us and our federal counterparts in regards to social distancing, public gatherings and general wellbeing.

Critically, make sure you are practising good hygiene and staying home, especially if you’re sick. Washing your hands properly and often is the gold standard of health advice that can help prevent viruses from entering your body.

The most up-to-date reliable information is available on the Queensland Health website at www.health.qld.gov.au/coronavirus.

The Queensland Health website now includes detailed information by Local Government Area on the number of active and recovered COVID-19 cases, likely source of infection, age and gender breakdowns of confirmed cases and number of self-quarantine notices. You can access this information at www.health.qld.gov.au/covid-data.