The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has urged people in Queensland to step up measures to reduce COVID-19 community transmission and keep people safe.
It comes following recent case number statistics showing almost 6,000 cases in the last 24 hours. More than 10,000 people in Australia have now died with COVID-19. The number of COVID-19 related deaths, as a proportion of the nation’s total population, is significantly higher than in the United Kingdom, United States, France, or Canada.
RACGP President Adj. Professor Karen Price said that the pandemic was far from over.
“We all have a vital role to play in limiting transmission of COVID-19 and other viruses including the flu and keeping those in our community more at risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 safe,” she said.
“Many people, particularly those who are vaccinated and boosted, will only experience relatively minor effects if they contract COVID-19. However, for others, including older people, the immunocompromised and those with serious underlying health conditions, contracting this virus is far more likely to lead to severe effects including hospitalisation. The high rate of COVID-19 transmission nation-wide including Queensland is placing tremendous strain on our health system, including our over-stretched hospitals.
“So, now is not the time for complacency. I know it’s frustrating and that many people are feeling ‘battle weary’ after living through lockdowns and social restrictions for many months on end. No one is suggesting that lockdowns are on the cards; however, we can and should embrace practical steps that we’ve all learnt over the last two years to limit the spread of COVID-19. Let’s all work together to bring down COVID-19 case numbers.”
RACGP Queensland Chair Dr Bruce Willett said that there were practical steps everyone in Queensland can take to limit the spread of the virus.
“In Queensland, we are experiencing high COVID-19 case numbers and I’m calling for people everywhere to do what they can to limit community transmission,” he said.
“Just because there aren’t laws in places mandating certain behaviours, that doesn’t mean we should take our foot off the peddle and pretend that this is a problem that will go away. It is vital that we look after one another because as a community we are all in this together.
“So, in addition to getting vaccinated and boosted, I urge all Australians to wear a mask indoors or where social distancing is difficult, such as at a sports games or crowded shopping centres. Have a conversation with your boss to see if working from home is an option while we get through this current surge in case numbers and do what you can to catch up with family and friends outside or try to ensure indoor gatherings happen in well-ventilated spaces.
“If you are feeling unwell, get tested and if your test is positive – isolate at home. We can all do small things to stop the spread of COVID-19, the flu, and other respiratory viruses by coughing and sneezing into your elbow and remembering to hand sanitise.
“This virus is not disappearing anytime soon and although the thought of returning to measures like mask-wearing isn’t pleasant, at the end of the day it’s a relatively minor inconvenience that will help keep people in our communities safe. So, please do the right thing and take those small but important steps to help limit transmission and encourage people in your life to do the same.”
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