- Three new cases have been reported this morning, all locally acquired and are linked to the Indooroopilly cluster.
- All three cases have been in home quarantine and not in the community while infectious.
- Over 20,000 tests were carried out in Queensland yesterday.
- There are now 155 active cases, with 13,000 people in home quarantine across the state.
- Tomorrow will see the opening of a mass vaccination hub at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre for 16 to 59 year olds; already there have been over 50,000 registrations.
- Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has stressed the importance of not travelling to Northern NSW; the Byron, Lismore, Ballina and Richmond Valley Shires are all in a seven day lockdown and the NSW Government has named the region as a COVID hotspot.
- There will be an increased police presence on the border to facilitate this, only absolutely essential workers will be permitted to travel to the LGA’s in lockdown.
Mass vaccination centre soon to open at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
A mass vaccination hub has been established at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre and will be up and running from Wednesday.
The hub will be open seven days a week, from 8.30am until 4.30pm with extended hours on Saturday 14 August.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said initially, 1000-1500 doses per day would be administered on site.
By Saturday, Queensland Health predict 3000 doses per day will be administered at BCEC.
“Vaccinations are vital to ending this pandemic. I encourage all Queenslanders to register for a vaccination,” the Premier said.
Queensland is responsible for delivering around 30 per cent of the state’s vaccinations and the Federal Government is responsible for delivering 70 per cent.
While Queenslanders are encouraged to get vaccinations from their GPs and pharmacists, the establishment of a hub at BCEC will add to the state’s extensive program.
“The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre is a great venue. Having a hub here will make it quicker and easier for people to get vaccinated,” the Premier said.
“With great public transport and parking available for visitors, this centre will enable us to vaccinate thousands of Queenslanders more quickly and effectively.”
Free parking will be available for anyone receiving a vaccination at BCEC.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the BCEC vaccination hub would take bookings only.
“No walk-ins will be allowed,” she said. “To register for a vaccination, I urge everyone to visit the Queensland Health website.
“From this week, we’ll also start vaccinating Queenslanders aged 16-59. If you’re aged under 60, now’s the time to register. Please book online.”
Currently, the BCEC hub is scheduled to operate until 9 October.
The BCEC hub will deliver Pfizer vaccinations and second doses of AstraZeneca for those who have already had their first vaccination.
Ms D’Ath said with the opening of the BCEC hub, the Princess Alexandra and Mater South Bank facilities would close.
“The Queensland Children’s Hospital’s adult vaccination program will be diverted to the convention centre,” she said. “This will enable the children’s hospital to focus on vaccinating eligible children.”
Queensland’s September supply of Pfizer vaccines has been brought forward to this month.
The Premier said an extra 112,000 extra Pfizer doses would be delivered to Queensland.
“This is a great help,” the Premier said. “It will help us to fast-track the rollout of Pfizer vaccinations over the next five weeks.”
Click here to register for a vaccination.
People arriving from Victoria
Following the announcement of multiple new cases of COVID-19 in Victoria, anyone arriving from Victoria from 1am on 8 August 2021 will need to go into hotel quarantine. Victoria is already a declared hotspot. Therefore, as is currently the case, only returning Queensland residents, or someone with an exemption to enter, is able to come into Queensland.
Anyone who is allowed to enter Queensland will be required to go into 14 days mandatory hotel quarantine in Brisbane. Anyone who arrives in Queensland where there are no quarantine hotels, may be moved to a location where there is quarantine hotel space available.
Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said Queensland was continuing to take a cautious approach as positive cases increased in Victoria.
“I know this is difficult, but my priority is to ensure the health and safety of Queenslanders,” Dr Young said.
“The recent cases in Victoria are very concerning, and the number of exposure sites is also rapidly increasing, with more than 85 exposure sites currently listed.
“The Delta variant is much more contagious than other variants and we simply cannot afford to underestimate it.
“There may be more people in Victoria that have been infected and we must protect Queenslanders from the risk of COVID-19 as much as possible.”
Queenslanders are encouraged to reconsider non-essential travel to Victoria at this time.
For a list of Victorian exposure sites, visit www.health.qld.gov.au/tracing.
Contact Tracing Locations
Current contact tracing locations can be found here.
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