Queensland's growing COVID-19 outbreak of BA.2 Omicron sub-variant puts health system under pressure
ABCThe number of hospital and ambulance workers unable to work due to COVID-19 has more than doubled in the past 10 days as the Health Minister foreshadows another suspension on some elective surgeries. Queensland COVID-19 snapshot In latest reporting period: Deaths: 11 11 New cases: 5,698 Queensland's vaccine rollout: First dose: 93.2 per cent 93.2 per cent Second dose: 92.7 per cent Latest case information from Queensland Health. Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said the health system was under pressure and some hospitals may be forced to suspend some services. "This is putting pressure on our health system, with increasing cases in our hospitals, as well as a very large number, in fact, more than doubled, in the last week and a half of staff who are unavailable," she said. Child Health Officer John Gerrard said the current wave of COVID was being driven by the BA.2 Omicron sub-variant, with two-third of cases now stemming from this strain.