Queensland’s Covid death toll climbed higher again over the weekend with the Sunshine State still bracing for the peak of the Omicron wave.
All seven deaths reported on Monday were elderly people without their booster shots – two people being in their 80s and five in their 90s.The state’s death toll has now risen to 36, having been steady at seven deaths for eight months until January 5, when case numbers began accelerating following the reopening of borders.Education Minister Grace Grace also flagged Queensland would not need to extend the school year in December despite the surging Omicron caseload delaying back-to-school dates.
Monday’s cases were down on the 17,445 people who tested positive in the 24 hours to 7pm on Saturday, while Queensland’s total coronavirus caseload is now at a significantly reduced 86,953 people as a result of new reporting measures. Three new Queensland deaths were reported on Sunday – all people with underlying health conditions – something Dr Gerrard said was a common factor among the people who had died from the virus in Queensland.Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath will address media at 10am local time on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard