January 13, 2023
Figures released by Queensland Health on Friday (January 13) show there are still 437 patients being treated for COVID-19 in Queensland hospitals.
This has dropped from the 540 people reported in early January.
The death toll in Queensland now stands at 2526.
This includes all people who tested positive to COVID at the time of their deaths.
Before the Omicron wave hit and border restrictions were relaxed, this figure was seven.
Since the January 3 statistics were released, 77 deaths have been reported.
A total of 180 deaths have been reported in Queensland since December 2.
On January 6, Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said it was reassuring to see reported case numbers dropping between late December and early January.
“On December 20, Queensland recorded 15,325 active cases compared to our post-Christmas number of 10,696 on January 4,” Dr Gerrard said.
“Hospitalisations however have been slower to decline.
“They peaked at 599 on December 20 and had only fallen 10 per cent to 540 by January 4.
“We suspect this stems from an increase in older Queenslanders getting infected over the Christmas period and the association of age with more severe disease and hospitalisation.
“The median age of Queenslanders getting infected between December 20 and January 4 was 63.
“This is 10 years older than the previous fortnight and is likely due to older people spending time with their family and friends to celebrate the festive season.
“COVID-19 is not going away anytime soon, which is why our scientists continue to collect and analyse critical data on test results, infection rates, demographics, and hospitalisations.”
Queensland’s COVID-19 alert level remains at “Amber” which means people are advised to wear a mask in healthcare settings, indoors if they cannot socially distance and on public transport.
UPDATE January 18: Queensland’s COVID-19 alert level has been downgraded to “Green”.
