Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the state appears to have already weathered the worst of the current wave of COVID-19.
The forecast of a combined winter wave of COVID-19 and flu has seen hospitals across the country struggling.
“We did modelling, pretty comprehensive modelling, which showed that the end of August would be our peak,” Palaszczuk told Today.
“However, what we have seen over the last few days is a decline in hospitalizations of people entering the hospital, of course with COVID and with flu.
“So look, we’ll be monitoring it over the next few days and fingers crossed, maybe we’re past the worst, but time will tell. We just need a few more days to get those numbers under control.
“The Premier said hospital pressures were being felt across the country and defended his decision to sink $220 million into a dedicated quarantine facility that Queensland Health says is now unnecessary.
“At the time we had to build it, it was absolutely (a good investment) because we knew there were pressures on our hotel quarantine,” he said.
He said the government had spent $9.75 billion in its last budget to build three new hospitals and expand health facilities across the state.
“It’s the biggest hospital boost ever,” he said.
