No new local COVID-19 cases in Queensland as authorities urge greater vaccination

Queensland has recorded no locally acquired cases of COVID-19 after a man tested positive on the Gold Coast, but a truck driver has the virus after being infectious in Brisbane.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk Source: AAP

Queensland has recorded zero new local cases of coronavirus after a number of exposure sites were linked to a COVID-positive man on the Gold Coast.

However, it's been revealed a second man - a truck driver who tested positive for the virus in Victoria this week - was infectious in Brisbane.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Friday 73.66 per cent of Queenslanders had received one dose and 58.72 per cent were fully vaccinated.

She announced a "super Saturday vaccination blitz" for the weekend, with more than 100 schools across the state open from 9am to 2pm for walk-in vaccinations.

"We really want to see as many people vaccinated as possible," she told reporters.
The premier said she wanted to especially lift low jab rates in Marsden and Crestmead in the city of Logan.

Ms Palaszczuk said Marsden and Crestmead's vaccination rates are trailing the state average, with 54.7 per cent of people having a first dose and just 36 per cent a second dose.

She said in Logan, first dose rates are 66.1 per cent and second dose rates are 47.1 per cent. 

Logan Mayor Darren Power expressed concern over the city's low vaccination rate. 

"We have got 130 locations in Logan open to get vaccinated. Residents are running out of excuses," he told reporters.

"I want to address this: don't get your advice from Facebook, get it from health officials."
Queensland chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young.
Queensland chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young. Source: AAP
Queensland's chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said the truck driver currently in Victoria was infectious at various sites in Brisbane this week, including in Stafford and Richlands on 18 October and in Acacia Ridge on 19 October.

"This truck driver had had one dose of the vaccine on the 1st of October but that is not sufficient to stop someone from spreading the virus. We know that's a risk," Dr Young told reporters.

Gold Coast man 'very unwell'






Authorities announced on Thursday there had been a man infectious on the Gold Coast for 10 days.

Dr Young said on Friday the infected man was "very unwell" and hospital staff are keeping "a very close eye on him".

"He is on high flow oxygen and he will probably need to go into intensive care," she said.

She said the unvaccinated man is "extremely sick", despite being young and fit.

"The best thing we can all do to protect ourselves is to get vaccinated so we don't end up in that situation."

Five new overseas cases of COVID-19 have also been reported.


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By Eden Gillespie
Source: SBS News


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