Covid-19 Australia: Queensland records 4,249 new cases

Queensland has recorded a massive spike in Covid-19 cases with 4,249 new infections and residents urged to work from home if possible.

The figures announced on Monday mark a significant uptick on the 3,587 reported on Sunday.

The state has also reported one new death after a man, aged in his 30s, died suddenly at his home in the Gold Coast. 

Hospitalisation rates have also increased to 147 – up from 112 – while the number of patients being treated in ICU has doubled to 10. Only one patient, in his 80s, is on ventilation.

The soaring case numbers prompted premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to urge residents to work from home in a bid to reduce community transmission. 

Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard has warned tens of thousands of residents are likely to become infected in a matter of weeks.

‘All of us are going to be exposed in the next few weeks,’ he said.

‘Even if you’ve had the two doses of the vaccine, that probably isn’t enough to stop you from getting infected. That is why it is so critical to get the third vaccine.’ 

More to come