State flags new school dates as the Gold Coast prepares to peak first

QUEENSLAND has reported its deadliest day of the pandemic so far, with seven more Covid deaths as the Gold Coast races towards a predicted peak ahead of the rest of the state.

All seven deaths reported on Monday were elderly people without their booster shots – two people being in their 80s and five in their 90s.

Two of these people were unvaccinated, with five of the deaths being in aged care.

The state’s death toll has now risen to 36.

The Sunshine State recorded another 15,122 infections on Monday. Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard (pictured) said he expected the Gold Coast would reach its peak “in the next week or so” and Brisbane would follow a few days later. Education Minister Grace Grace flagged Queensland would not need to extend the school year in December despite the surging Omicron caseload delaying back-toschool dates.

“I am satisfied that the full curriculum can now be delivered to the condensed semester that’s over the next two terms,” she said, adding that the school year will end on December 9 instead of December 16.

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.

There are, however, 702 people requiring care in Queensland hospitals – up from 670 at the weekend – with the 49 people in ICU remaining steady.

There are currently 15 ICU patients who are on ventilators, one less than the weekend’s tally.