Deputy Premier Steven Miles says hospital cases are within the range anticipated by surge planning, but AMA Queensland says the public health system is under 'incredible pressure'.
Queensland's COVID-19 hospitalisations have topped 1,000 for the first time, with 15 deaths confirmed in the latest reporting period.AMAQ warns all hospital patients will pay the priceThere are 1,034 people in hospital and 21 in ICU across Queensland, with 9,650 new cases in the past 24 hours.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles said surge plans were in place for hospitals to deal with the rising COVID caseload, including rescheduling appointments. "We'd like to see general practice better supported. We are doing a lot of work, there are doctors doing telehealth [consultations] to support their patients even though the doctors are sick with COVID themselves."For a health care system to work, we need both hospitals and GPs resourced because without one, the other one fails and then patients suffer."Mr Miles said despite the rising number of COVID cases, the official health advice had not changed.
"We've always said we will continue to receive briefings on what the situation is and what appropriate public health measures we should take and we will take that advice — we always have.