- 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.
