Qld has 11 virus deaths, 9,546 new cases

Nick Gibbs | January 25, 2022

Another 11 people have died with COVID-19 in Queensland as the state approaches the peak of the current wave with 9,546 new cases.

Tuesday’s deaths were people aged between their 50s and 90s, none of whom had received a booster jab.

“I know this is very heartbreaking to families…none of this is easy,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said from Townsville on Tuesday.

The new cases come as the number of virus cases in Queensland’s hospitals increase “significantly” to a total of 928.

The figure includes 51 patients in intensive care, 13 of whom are on ventilators.

Queensland’s double dose vaccination rate is “inching” toward the 90 per cent mark, and currently sits at 89.18 per cent, Ms Palaszczuk said. 

Just over half of those eligible for a third dose have now received their booster shot. 

Meanwhile, an announcement about the return to school for the majority of students is expected later in the week after the state’s education minister Grace Grace contracted COVID-19.

“We wish her a speedy recovery, so as soon as she is back on deck, the education minister and I will make that announcement,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Face to face learning is expected to return for the majority of students on February 7.