David Gardiner

Journalist

There has been a slight spike in COVID hospitalisation numbers in Douglas, from zero admissions a few weeks ago.

When Newsport last reported on COVID cases in the region in November, there had been no hospitalisations at Mossman for at least three weeks before then.

But that has changed somewhat – with nine people hospitalised at Mossman Multipurpose Health Service since December 26.

Dr Richard Gair, Director, Tropical Public Health Services at CHHHS, said “COVID-19 is endemic in the community and new variants will continue to arise.”

Dr Gair said a “traffic light system” of what people should do remains in operation, and the traffic light is still on “amber.”

For more on the system and what to do if you think you have COVID-19, visit: https://www.cairns-hinterland.health.qld.gov.au/covid-19.

“As we have done throughout the entire pandemic, we continuously monitor the evolving situation, including the emergence of new variants, and provide advice to the community to help limit the spread of COVID-19,” he said.

“Any changes to the traffic light system will be communicated to the media and public via the usual channels.”

Public health officials have also pointed out on several occasions that COVID-19 case numbers in the community are likely to be a significant underestimate of how many cases are actually out there – due to people not testing nor reporting their positive tests from Rapid Antigen Testing..

Hospitalisation figures are a far better measure of how COVID is going in the region, and its impact on hospitals.