Queensland bracing for lockdown extension

Queenslanders are being told they could bring an end to the current coronavirus lockdown by coming forward for testing.

But the easing of restrictions also depends on how many new cases the state records today.

It comes as Queensland hospitals are filled with dozens of sick children infected with the Delta variant.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Queensland's COVID-19 lockdown after new extension

Vaccine Queensland

9News reporter Reece D'Alessandro told Today 39 adults and children are currently being treated at the Gold Coast University Hospital. 

And the risk of catching the virus is now highly likely among the parents of those children who are by their bedsides in isolation.

Queensland AMA president Dr Chris Perry told Today it was a potentially "scary situation" particularly for parents.

"We don't know what it's going to do to the kids," Dr Perry said.

"Generally, you think it will be a mild illness but they could shed more virus than older people, therefore their parents are in the firing line, they want to be there with their kids. We're in a slightly scary situation."

The woman is in isolation at Gold Coast University Hospital.

Dr Perry said encouraging parents to vaccinate their children with AstraZeneca over Pfizer would be a hard sell, despite the high risks of contracting the virus.

"When kids aren't going to die from this, most probably, it's hard to push AstraZeneca in that really young group but for adults, you really need to think about it.

"Just get your vaccines".

He dismissed any chances of the state's lockdown ending on Sunday.

"We won't open up on Sunday, but we could open halfway through next week or another week's time. We will just have to see the numbers."

Yesterday the state recorded 16 new locally-acquired cases, with more than a dozen new exposure sites in Brisbane and Cairns.

READ MORE: Over a dozen new Queensland COVID-19 exposure sites in Brisbane and Cairns

Four of them are linked to the Ironside State School — including one teacher — two to Indooroopilly State High School, one to Brisbane Boys Grammar and nine are close contacts or family members of existing cases. 

Residents are tested for COVID-19 at a pop up testing clinic at Indooroopilly State High School, in Brisbane.

With locked down parts of the state now halfway into the proposed timeline for restrictions, the risk of an extension on Sunday is growing.

"If we don't do something really, really, really special in Queensland, we'll be extending the lockdown," Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said.

High testing rates could be a key factor in bringing about an end to the lockdown.

Daily testing numbers are currently sitting at 50,000 and above.

READ MORE: Questions raised on what are 'essential activities' in Queensland lockdown



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