{"id":311461,"date":"2021-12-16T14:12:18","date_gmt":"2021-12-16T04:12:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=311461"},"modified":"2021-12-16T15:01:21","modified_gmt":"2021-12-16T05:01:21","slug":"22-new-covid-cases-in-qld","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2021\/12\/16\/22-new-covid-cases-in-qld\/","title":{"rendered":"22 New COVID Cases In Qld"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard (Photo: Qld Health)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

December 16, 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

There were 22 new cases of COVID-19 announced in Queensland on Thursday, including 18 people who have been infectious in the community.<\/p>\n

As well, two cases were detected in hotel quarantine and two in home quarantine.<\/p>\n

Seven of the new cases were acquired locally, 12 from interstate and three from overseas.<\/p>\n

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the community cases were in the health regions of the Darling Downs, Wide Bay, Brisbane North, Brisbane South, West Moreton, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Townsville.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Most of these people have been infectious in the community between one and seven days,” Minister D’Ath said.<\/p>\n

One of the latest cases visited an aged care facility in Holland Park. Staff and residents were now being tested.<\/p>\n

The results of genomic testing on recent cases has also been confirmed. <\/p>\n

Three are the new, highly contagious Omicron variant: a Townsville soldier, with very limited exposure to the community; a woman from Rochedale South who had been in Newcastle; and an international air crew member who has not been out in the community.<\/p>\n

However, Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said he was expecting a surge of Omicron cases in Queensland “within weeks”.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He said reimposing a mask mandate was being “actively” considered as this would slow the spread of the virus and give people a chance to get their booster shots.<\/p>\n

At the moment, people are eligible to receive a third dose five months after their second vaccination.<\/p>\n

Minister D’Ath said there were currently 67 active cases of COVID-19 in the State.<\/p>\n

A drive-through COVID-19 testing site has been opened at Taroom Hospital for local residents.<\/strong><\/p>\n

External links:<\/strong><\/p>\n