COVID Update - Tuesday, February 15, 2022

As at 7pm on February 14, the total COVID-19 cases in the North West Hospital and Health Service is 1,740. Of these, 3 were reported in the last 24 hours.

The North West Hospital and Health Service (NWHHS) has aligned COVID-19 daily reporting with the Queensland Health’s COVID-19 statistics webpage, found here: https://bit.ly/covid-19-statistics-qldhealth. These figures are updated daily and reflect the latest numbers as at 7pm on the previous day and include a location breakdown of cases.

Recognising that the COVID-19 omicron variant spreads more easily than earlier variants highlights the importance of receiving a third dose of the COVID vaccine.

This is essential for all eligible age groups, and in particular for older members of our community given increasing deaths across Queensland for older community members who have not had their booster dose.

If you are vaccinated, the illness you have is likely to be mild, which is associated with the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine. High vaccination rates across the North West will protect the community against severe illness, hospitalisation, and death, noting that effectiveness against infections decreases over time.

The omicron variant more commonly causes severe illness in older age groups, which is why it is critical that elderly people have a third dose of a vaccine.

First, second and booster vaccinations are available at all NWHHS facilities. The NWHHS COVID-19 vaccination centre at the Mount Isa Civic Centre in West Street has extended its hours - Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and Thursday 1pm to 8pm.

The Buchanan Park drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00am until 12:00pm. Community members should remain in their car and follow the direction of staff members who are there to provide assistance.