Hospitals prepared to meet evolving COVID and influenza threat

• Queensland Health is discontinuing the COVID-19 traffic light system, bringing management of the virus in line with other prevalent respiratory illnesses like influenza
• Queensland Health will continue monitoring COVID-19 as part of its broader surveillance of acute respiratory illnesses
• Hospital and Health Services have strategies in place to cope with any extra demand from respiratory illnesses this winter
• Queensland has recorded more than 32,500 flu cases this year

Queensland is pivoting its health response to meet the evolving threat posed by COVID-19, as hospitals brace for a winter rise in respiratory illnesses.

Queensland Health will end the COVID-19 traffic light system from today, instead monitoring COVID-19 as part of its broader surveillance of acute respiratory illnesses, like influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

The move is in response to evidence pointing to a decline in COVID-19 waves and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration the illness was no longer a public health emergency.

Queenslanders still have access to comprehensive COVID-19 resources on the Queensland Government’s website.

The decision to retire the traffic light system marks the latest move in Queensland’s evolving and evidence-based health response to COVID-19, which is still active in the community along with other respiratory illnesses like influenza.

Queensland has recorded more than 100,000 cases of COVID-19 this year and is currently experiencing a sharp uptick in flu cases.

Almost 4,400 cases were recorded between June 12-18, taking the total of flu cases this year to 32,500.

Queenslanders are being urged to take precautions against influenza, including getting vaccinated, staying home when unwell and maintaining good hand and oral hygiene.

Queensland Hospital and Health Services (HHS) have systems in place to respond to peaks in demand from respiratory illnesses.

This includes the Winter Beds Strategy, which is tailored by each HHS to best meet the needs of their local communities.

Actions taken as part of the Winter Beds Strategy range from redirecting hospital staff and resources to where they are needed most, to increasing patient capacity through arrangements with private hospitals and health providers.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available from primary care immunisation providers, with several cohorts able to access free vaccines under the National Immunisation Program.

More information on vaccination is available here.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman:

 “This new phase in the way Queensland manages COVID-19 is possible thanks to our strong health response during the peak of the pandemic.

“While we are discontinuing the traffic light system, it is not the time for complacency. The virus is still out there, as well as influenza and RSV, so we need to take care.”

“It’s no secret the arrival of winter places extra demand on Queensland’s hospitals, but they are well prepared for the rise in flu and COVID-19 cases.”

“The total number of flu cases this year is almost three times the average for the same period in 2018-2022, so we need to be vigilant.

“The best thing people can do to protect themselves and loved ones against the flu is to get vaccinated.

“This is particularly important for children under the age of 10 as that is where we are seeing a spike in flu cases right now.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard:

“COVID-19 continues to evolve, so it is important our response evolves with it.

“The Public Health Emergency declared by the World Health Organization ended in May and COVID-19 is now an ongoing part of our reality, much like other acute respiratory illnesses such as influenza and RSV.

“COVID-19 waves are declining in trend and severity, in line with evidence pointing to the illness becoming endemic.

“While the virus remains very active in the community, we haven’t seen major surges in hospitalisations since December last year.

“Given this, a widescale COVID-19-specific traffic light alert system is no longer appropriate or necessary.

“The pandemic disrupted the normal seasonal pattern of other respiratory viruses worldwide, with our influenza season this year occurring about two months earlier than we would typically expect.

“More Queenslanders are in intensive care with influenza than with COVID-19 and we are very concerned about the recent surge in influenza cases in adults and children.

“In addition to COVID-19 and Influenza A and B, we are seeing typical winter viruses like rhinovirus, RSV, parainfluenza and adenovirus.

“This new phase in the way we manage COVID-19 signals progress, but it's crucial that Queenslanders remain aware that respiratory illnesses are still circulating.

“I strongly advise people to protect themselves and others against all acute respiratory illnesses by getting vaccinated for the flu and, if eligible, COVID-19.

“Regular hand washing with soap and water, staying home when unwell, and keeping sick children at home are also crucial steps in preventing the spread.

“In certain cases, individual hospitals or other health providers may still require masks and I would ask that Queenslanders please follow that instruction if requested.”

ENDS

Note: A count of beds occupied means that the same patient may be counted multiple times across different days.

Media contact – Phoenix Campbell 0439 949 719