The state’s weekly coronavirus total has fallen sharply as the number of Queenslanders fined for breaching public health orders keeps steadily climbing.
Only 16 patients tested positive for COVID-19 in the week to Saturday, even as testing criteria was expanded on Friday to include anyone with symptoms, anywhere in the state.
That’s less than a third of the coronavirus 54 cases recorded in the previous seven-day period.
Two more coronavirus cases have tested positive in Queensland.
The two new COVID-19 cases added on Saturday brought the state’s total, which was revised overnight, to 1026 as Australia’s death toll rose to 80.
Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said 964 of the confirmed patients in Queensland had recently travelled overseas or had close contact with a confirmed case, such as their partner or flat-mate.
Police have fined 33 people in the past 24 hours for breaching public health directions. Since March 27, 1,354 fines have been dished out.
Of 572 domestic airport passengers arriving into the state, eight were forced to quarantine in the past 24 hours.
Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath warned the health of five million Queenslanders was in the hands of those required to stay home by law ahead of the Anzac Day weekend.
On Friday, she said a statewide blitz to enforce quarantine orders this week showed 93 per cent of individuals were complying.
“Thank you for complying with the directions,” she said.
“That has resulted in the flattening in the curve that we’ve been seeing and an extremely low transmission in the community.”
However, she warned the 3500 people in forced isolation and quarantine not to be complacent.
“We know a long weekend is coming up so we say to those 3500 Queenslanders who are on isolation or quarantine orders, please, do it for the five million Queenslanders,” she said.
“Direct Care Army are making sure you get (the) food, medicine and the support you need so that you can stay at home in those 14 days as we required.
Data courtesy: www.smh.com.au