Queensland has recorded 10 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases, with a lockdown in the state’s southeast on track to lift on schedule.
The new cases emerged after more than 48,000 tests in the 24 hours to 6am on Friday, taking the number of cases in the Indooroopilly Delta variant outbreak to 89.
Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles says two of the new cases were infectious in the community for one day each, raising hopes the eight-day lockdown will end as scheduled at 4pm on Sunday.
“Queensland, you are doing an amazing job, an amazing job,” he told reporters on Friday.
“You are getting tested, you are staying home, you are wearing your masks, you are doing the right thing. I’ve never been more proud to be a Queenslander than I am when I see these fantastic results.
“All the indications are that it is working, we just need to keep it up. It is too soon to say what will happen over the next few days and whether we will be able to ease restrictions on Sunday.”
Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said all 10 new cases were household contacts of existing cases in the Indooroopilly cluster.
Five are linked to Ironside State School, three are linked to Indooroopilly State High School and two are linked to Brisbane Boys Grammar School.
Dr Young said 8594 people are in home quarantine and the lockdown of the southeast could still end on Sunday.
She said it will depend on whether people stay home unless they need to leave for essential purposes and wear masks if they do.
The decision on lockdown, won’t be made until the case and testing numbers are received at 6am on Sunday.
“I’d doubt it will be before Sunday. I will want to see the numbers on Sunday morning,” Dr Young said.
The chief health officer said even if lockdown ends, face masks could be mandated in Queensland until Christmas.
She said authorities were even looking into whether there were benefits for children under the age of 12 to wear masks.
“If we want to try and avoid lockdowns, we are going to have to get used to wearing masks,” she said.
“Hopefully it won’t be through till Christmas but it could be.”
Dr Young also said she supported people under the age of 60 speaking to their doctors about getting the AstraZeneca vaccine.
The chief health officer has previously warned people under 40 against getting it, but said her advice has now changed, in line with that of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.
“It is a personal choice and one that needs to be made with your GP,” Dr Young said.
Meanwhile, police issued 20 penalty infringement notices for breaching public health orders overnight.
Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski was concerned people were still not wearing masks.
“That is the simplest thing to do, carry a mask and wear it when you should and we will be lot safer,” Mr Gollschewski said.
Queensland will also shut the border to Victoria from 1am on Sunday with all inbound travellers to go into 14-day self-funded hotel quarantine.
AAP
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