April 24, 2020
Queensland Health has expanded the testing criteria for COVID-19 so that anyone in the State who has a fever – or a history of fever – or acute respiratory symptoms can get tested.
Until now, testing had been limited to certain categories, including people with symptoms who have recently returned from overseas or a close contact, or who work in “vulnerable” settings, or live in an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community.
On April 7, this was expanded to also include people with symptoms who live in Brisbane, the Gold Coast or Cairns.
This geographical limitation has now been lifted.
Queensland Health has advised that anyone with who feels unwell – and has a fever, or a history of fever, or acute respiratory symptoms – should contact their doctors immediately.
“Your doctor will decide if you need to be tested for COVID-19,” Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said.
“Before your appointment, please call ahead and tell them about your symptoms so they can prepare for your visit.”
She said most Queenslanders who have contracted COVID-19 have experienced mild symptoms.
* * *
Queensland Health has reported two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 since Thursday but the official State total remains at 1026 after yesterday’s case figures were revised overnight.
Dr Young said 959 of the 1026 confirmed cases had recently travelled overseas or had close contact with a confirmed case, such as their partner or flatmate.
Eighteen of the 282 active confirmed cases are in hospital, with six of these in intensive care. The remainder of patients are recovering at home.
“Even though Queensland has recorded very low numbers of cases this week, Queenslanders are reminded to continue staying home as much as possible, and stay in their suburb when undertaking essential activities such as going to the supermarket or exercising,” she said.
Dr Young said a total of 94,977 tests for COVID-19 has been undertaken in Queensland, with 2275 tests undertaken in the previous 24 hours.
* * *
Queensland Breakdown
| Health Service | Active | Recovered | Deaths | Total |
| Cairns and Hinterland | 6 | 28 | 0 | 34 |
| Central Queensland | 2 | 6 | 0 | 8 |
| Central West | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Darling Downs | 15 | 25 | 2 | 42 |
| Gold Coast | 53 | 137 | 0 | 190 |
| Mackay | 4 | 11 | 0 | 15 |
| Metro North | 74 | 235 | 3 | 312 |
| Metro South | 83 | 167 | 0 | 250 |
| North West | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| South West | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sunshine Coast | 14 | 75 | 1 | 90 |
| Torres and Cape | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Townsville | 5 | 19 | 0 | 24 |
| West Moreton | 11 | 26 | 0 | 37 |
| Wide Bay | 15 | 9 | 0 | 24 |
| Total | 282 | 738 | 6 | 1026* |
* Queensland Health notes that changes may occur in the number of notifications reported from day-to-day. This is due to updates as new information becomes available or where discrepancies are detected through data quality assurance activities.
Is this the person that banned flyovers on Anzac Day (how on earth does this spread COVID?) one day and before that said it was okay for 80 Indigenous people to attend a funeral. Does this mob really know what they are on about? If this person wasn’t the one responsible then just who was it?