Queensland slashes close contact rules as state lists record-high COVID-19 cases
Queensland will halve the amount of time close contacts of positive COVID-19 cases will have to isolate as the state records its highest daily number of cases since the pandemic began.
Overnight the state recorded 79 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases from more than 34,500 cases, marking the biggest day for case detection in Queensland's history.
The state's active case total now sits at 269, 61 of whom have been confirmed to be the Omicron variant.
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Massive queues at Brisbane Airport earlier in the week. 9News
From December 22, close contacts of positive COVID-19 cases will only be required to quarantine for seven days in Queensland.
Currently, close contacts are required to quarantine for 14 days.
The reduction in isolation requirements applies only to fully vaccinated close contacts.
Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard. Nine
Queensland CHO Dr John Gerrard said modelling indicates there is the potential to see thousands of cases in the state in January if the virus continues to double every 48 hours.
Dr Gerrard said measures to slow the spread of the virus include vaccination, mask-wearing and preventing "seeding events".
"We hope for the best but plan for the worst," Dr Gerrard said.
The CHO said the state's plan centred around reducing hospitalisations and serious illness.
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