Just four are ‘significantly unwell’

ONLY four people in Queensland’s hospitals are “significantly unwell” with Covid-19 despite an explosion in cases, but an infectious disease expert has warned against being “falsely reassured” by the lack of severe disease so soon.

Queensland had 784 cases in the 24 hours to Monday, bringing the total to 3677 since borders opened two weeks ago.

But only four people in hospital were “significantly unwell” with the virus – down from seven on Sunday – chief health officer John Gerrard revealed, with none in intensive care or on a ventilator.

One – an 85-year-old man with underlying health conditions – was described as moderately to severely unwell.

Dr Gerrard said this was “quite striking” compared to the number of active Covid-19 cases and “suggests strongly” the vaccines were working.

Infectious disease expert Professor Paul Griffin warned against drawing conclusions “too early” about the severity of the Omicron variant, saying Queensland was “still very early” in its experience with widespread Covid-19 infection.

“We shouldn’t be falsely assured about the lack of severe cases at such an early point,” he said. “Both NSW and Victoria have a proA portion of people that are requiring significant medical intervention … the time will come when that is needed here.”

The number of people in intensive care for Covid-19 in NSW, which has recorded more than 37,000 cases in the past week, was 55 on Monday.

In Victoria, where 12,500 cases have been recorded in the past week, a total of 80 cases were in intensive care.

Queensland’s biggest day for Covid-19 patients in intensive care and on a ventilator was 12, on April 11, 2020.

Professor Griffin said while data was showing Omicron to be more infectious and less severe, there was still not much known of long-term impacts.