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Queensland records six more deaths as state lifts its border

Emily CosenzaNCA NewsWire
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Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia

Queensland has recorded 19,709 new infections and six deaths in that past 24 hours, including one person aged in their 20s.

It brings the total number of active cases across the state to 187,037 as Queensland finally brings down its border walls.

There are now 649 infected people in hospital with 46 in intensive care and 14 on a ventilator.

Of the six people who died, one was aged in their 20s, one in their 70s, two were in their 80s and two were in their 90s.

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Chief health officer John Gerrard said all of them had “significant” underlying medical conditions.

COVID TESTING QUEENSLAND
Camera IconQueensland has recorded 19,709 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday. NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled Credit: News Corp Australia

He urged all residents to assume they “very likely” had Covid-19 if they had any associated symptoms as the state heads toward its peak.

“We would like you to get tested with a PCR test or rapid antigen test if possible, but if for whatever reason you find that difficult, you should assume you have Covid and isolate,” Dr Gerrard said.

“The single most important symptom to look for is difficulty breathing.”

He said those who had difficulty breathing after walking a short distance, such as between rooms in households, needed to call an ambulance.

Those who had significant ongoing chest pain should also call triple-zero.

Yvette D'Ath and Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerr
Camera IconChief health officer John Gerrard urged all residents to assume they “very likely” had Covid-19 if they had any associated symptoms. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall Credit: News Corp Australia

But Health Minister Yvette D’Ath reminded Queenslanders not to call triple-zero just because they were infected with the virus and had mild symptoms and did not require the emergency service.

“Our ambulances and paramedics are under significant strain with the calls they are getting and we want to make sure we don’t have people ringing simply because they have a positive test but otherwise are feeling well,” she said.

“There are other avenues as opposed to calling triple-zero.”

She also asked residents not to call for an ambulance to be transported to a testing or vaccination clinic.

Yvette D'Ath and Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerr
Camera IconHealth Minister Yvette D’Ath urged Queenslanders not to call for an ambulance if it wasn’t necessary. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall Credit: News Corp Australia

The figures come as the state officially opened its domestic borders, removing all restrictions on interstate travel.

Border applications and negative rapid antigen tests are no longer required to enter Queensland from hotspot areas.

More than 91 per cent of residents aged 16 and over have had at least one dose while 88.5 per cent have had both.

There are also 40,867 children aged five to 11 that were vaccinated in the past 24 hours.

The state reported a record 23,630 new infections and three deaths on Friday.

BRISBANE AIRPORT
Camera IconThe state’s domestic border restrictions were removed at 1am on Saturday morning. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall Credit: News Corp Australia

Originally published as Queensland records six more deaths as state lifts its border

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