Queensland has recorded 16,031 new COVID-19 cases today and a further 13 deaths, as the state reduces the period between second vaccine doses and booster shots.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that from Monday, residents can get now their booster shots at the three-month mark after their second dose.
The move comes as COVID-19 infections stabilise across the state, as well as the number of those being treated in hospital with the virus.
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There are now 855 patients in hospital with COVID-19, 54 of whom are in the ICU and 22 on ventilator.
Ms Palaszczuk said that the Queensland check-in app will be maintained despite calls by some mayors for it to be scrapped.
"That check-in app will be in use for the foreseeable future," she said.
Ms Palaszczuk said it gave the community an extra layer of protection.
Vaccines prevent hospitals becoming overwhelmed: CHO
Queensland Chief Health Officer John Gerrard has said the state's vaccination campaign has stopped the health system from being swamped by the Omicron wave.
"Were in not for widespread vaccination, we would not be talking about 850 people in hospital but instead there would be thousands," Dr Gerrard said.
One person who died with the virus had received their booster.
Of the other deaths, two people were in their 60s, five in their 70s, five in their 80s and one in their 90s.
Two were unvaccinated, one had a single dose, eight had two doses and one had three doses.
Palaszczuk proposes RATs be manufactured in Australia
Ms Palaszczuk has proposed that rapid antigen tests be manufactured in Australia, raising the idea at National Cabinet yesterday.
She said the Federal Government supported her plan and wanted to help a local manufacturer gain TGA approval.
"At National Cabinet yesterday, I raised this issue and can I thank the prime minister, he said that the TGA will work closely with the state government to iron out any issues that those companies may have to facilitate their accreditation as quickly as possible and to go through the normal processes.
"But if there's any issues that either party needs then we will fast-track those issues and work with the Federal Government to really accelerate the approvals of those companies and I thank them for that."
School plan to be released next week
The Queensland Government's back-to-school plan will be released on Monday, but will not include COVID-19 testing for students, Ms Palaszczuk said.
"There is no health advice that there needs to be testing of children at this stage."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has flagged student testing as a measure that may be adopted by states and territories when Term One begins.
Yesterday the state recorded 16,812 new COVID-19 infections and nine more deaths.
Among those who died was an 18-year-old with a significant underlying medical condition.
From 1am tomorrow, international travellers will also be able to enter the state quarantine free, now only having to conduct a rapid antigen test within 24 hours of their arrival.
Dr Gerrard said cases are expected to continue to rise in coming weeks, but that the state would not hit the peak any earlier than expected.
"Our projections are, as they've always been, that the peak of the pandemic will be approaching sometime in the next two to three weeks," Dr Gerrard said.
Dr Gerrard reiterated the projections mapped out by statisticians showed the virus would peak in the state at the end of the month.
"The numbers will increase. There's no question," he said.
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"The paramedics are not carrying the tests."
She said people should not call an ambulance if their COVID-19 symptoms are mild.
