Please attribute to Mackay HHS Executive Director of COVID-19 Julie Rampton
Mackay HHS has 304 new positive COVID-19 cases to make a total of 1613 active cases throughout the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday local government areas.
Of these seven are in the COVID-19 Ward at Mackay Base Hospital and 53 are in Mackay Base Hospital Virtual Ward.
For case numbers by local government area see Queensland COVID-19 statistics | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
A total of 653 COVID-19 tests were done by Mackay HHS on 6 January 2022.
While there were fewer new cases notified by PCR testing in the past 24 hours this does not mean there is less COVID-19 in our communities.
We know that people are testing positive to Rapid Antigen Tests in their home, and shortly people will be asked to lodge their positive result on a website.
This is important to help our Public Health Unit understand the amount of virus circulating in our community.
Our staff are also members by the community and are affected by the virus. We have had 55 staff test positive and another 40 are in home quarantine as close contacts.
To allow the health service to focus on the growing number of patients we have suspended some business as usual.
This includes postponing some non urgent elective surgeries, some dental procedures and some specialist outpatient appointments. We are still caring for urgent cases.
Where possible we will be conducting appointments by telehealth to reduce the movement of people in our hospitals.
Anyone who has had a procedure postponed will be contacted by the health service and offered a new date when this can be organised – you do not need to call us.
If your condition deteriorates while you are waiting please see your GP who may submit another referral for our consideration.
We are asking people to follow these five steps:
- Stay home if unwell even if RAT is negative- it is highly possible you will be positive on your next test
- Work from home where possible
- Wear a mask – it’s mandatory indoors and wear it properly
- Socially distance – it makes a difference
- Get vaccinated – two doses and a booster.
