25 April 2020

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has welcomed further encouraging signs measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 are working.

Another two cases were confirmed overnight, with Queensland’s total at 1,026.

The Premier thanked Queenslanders for responding to restrictions and helping to flatten the curve.

‘None of this is easy - but it’s worth it. It’s working,’ the Premier said.

Health Minister Steven Miles said the low number of positive cases was despite record high testing.

“We’re conducting well over 2000 tests a day and still seeing low numbers, that means Queenslanders are doing to right thing and stopping the spread.

“The Chief Health Officer has expanded testing criteria for anyone who has symptoms consistent with COVID-19. We’re determined to find and trace every case in Queensland.”

Yesterday’s total case numbers were revised overnight and the state total remains at 1,026.

HHS* Active cases Recovered cases Deaths Total confirmed

cases to date Cairns and Hinterland 6 28 0 34 Central Queensland 2 6 0 8 Central West 0 0 0 0 Darling Downs 3 37 2 42 Gold Coast 24 166 0 190 Mackay 4 11 0 15 Metro North 74 235 3 312 Metro South 77 173 0 250 North West 0 0 0 0 South West 0 0 0 0 Sunshine Coast 14 75 1 90 Torres and Cape 0 0 0 0 Townsville 5 19 0 24 West Moreton 3 34 0 37 Wide Bay 5 19 0 24 Overseas 0 0 0 0 Total 217 803 6 1026**

* HHS level case data may include a patient’s residential address, Public Health Unit managing or location where test was ordered.

**Changes may occur in the number of notifications reported from day to day. This is due to ongoing maintenance and update of notification details as new information becomes available, or where discrepancies are detected through data quality assurance activities.

Queensland’s Chief Health Officer said currently, 964 of the 1,026 confirmed cases had recently travelled overseas or had close contact with a confirmed case, such as their partner or flatmate.

“Even though Queensland has recorded very low numbers of cases this week, Queenslanders are reminded to continue staying home as much as possible, and stay in their suburb when undertaking essential activities such as going to the supermarket or exercising,” she said.

A total of 97,057 tests for COVID-19 has been undertaken in Queensland, with 2,093 tests undertaken in the previous 24 hours.

Queensland’s testing criteria has now been expanded so that anyone in the state who has fever (or history of fever) or acute respiratory symptoms can get tested.

If you are unwell and you meet the above criteria, you should contact a doctor immediately. Your doctor will decide if you need to be tested for COVID-19.

Before your appointment, please call ahead and tell them about your symptoms so they can prepare for your visit.

Most Queenslanders who have contracted COVID-19 have experienced mild symptoms. Currently, 18 of the 282 active confirmed cases are in hospital, with six of these in intensive care. The remainder of active cases are currently recovering at home.

A total of 803 Queenslanders (78% of total cases) have now recovered from COVID-19.

Contact tracing continues for recent cases.

We are in the process of contacting people from flight VA341 from Melbourne to Brisbane on 20 April 2020 after a passenger on this flight tested positive to COVID-19.

We ask that passengers seated in rows 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 of this flight, who have not already been contacted by Queensland Health call 13 HEALTH and advise that you were a passenger on this flight.

All other passengers are considered very low risk, however anyone with health concerns can contact 13 HEALTH.

Queensland Health will notify the community if any other public health alerts are required.

We want everyone to continue playing their part to protect themselves and the more vulnerable in our community. Please continue to follow the recommended advice from us and our federal counterparts in regards to social distancing, public gatherings and general wellbeing.

Critically, make sure you are practising good hygiene and staying home, especially if you’re sick. Washing your hands properly and often is the gold standard of health advice that can help prevent viruses from entering your body.

The most up-to-date reliable information is available on the Queensland Health website at www.health.qld.gov.au/coronavirus

The Queensland Health website now includes detailed information by Local Government Area on the number of active and recovered COVID-19 cases, likely source of infection, age and gender breakdowns of confirmed cases and number of self-quarantine notices.

You can access this information at www.health.qld.gov.au/covid-data