COVID alert switches from green to amber

The XBB Omicron sub-variant, which is resistant to vaccines and antibodies from previous infections, emerged in Singapore a few weeks ago.

Within a week, it went from making up one fifth of the country’s COVID-19 cases to more than a half.

Queensland's healthcare workers are currently caring for 203 patients with COVID, double the number of hospitalisations from a week ago. Sadly, 14 people died with the virus between 27 October to 2 November. 

The latest Queensland Health data on Queensland’s COVID numbers reveals that in the same time, there were 4,427 new cases reported, with 105 people in hospital, three in intensive care.

The Premier said there had also been a 15 per cent increase in COVID cases in the past week, as well as an uptick in COVID-related ambulance call outs.

Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard introduced the traffic light system on 1 November to simplify COVID messaging moving forward. 

Amber (Tier 1) means there are moderate rates of community transmission and Queensland is either coming off a wave or entering a new one.

When the traffic light is amber, you should follow the advice for the green traffic light, as well as:

• wear a mask
  • in healthcare settings
  • indoors, if you can't socially distance
  • on public transport
  • if you are older or medically at risk
  • if you're around people who are vulnerable to COVID-19
• take a rapid test (RAT) every 2 days if someone in your household has COVID-19

People who are older or have medical conditions can be more vulnerable to serious illness if they get COVID-19.

Places where it's more likely people may have COVID-19 include healthcare settings such as hospital emergency departments and GP waiting rooms.

AMA Queensland, as part of the GP Alliance, has created assets to assist our members with asking patients to wear a mask, now that the mask mandate has ended. 

MASK RESOURCES