Now, the pandemic has hit – hard. COVID-19 cases have soared over the past month, with Papua New Guinea now recording more new cases in a day than Australia records in a week – and most of unknown origin. But everyone knows it is already much worse than that.

Recognising the threat, Queensland Health had already diverted COVID-19 vaccines to the Torres Strait, hoping to be able to protect communities before the virus arrives. Around 159 people have already had their first shot, as clinicians work their way back from the PNG border to eventually vaccinate Cape York communities too.
In an extraordinary move, arrangements are being made for some Queensland Health workers to cross the border and start vaccinating nearby PNG communities too. They hope to be quick enough to build a buffer zone.

The Commonwealth is increasing surveillance in the Torres Strait. A tinnie with an outboard motor could make it from PNG to Australia faster than well heeled Sydney-siders could do a sunset cruise of the harbour.

If COVID-19 were to spread through the Torres Strait, Australia’s world-class health system and envied response to the pandemic would suddenly appear fallible. Expect aero-medical retrievals from Thursday Island to Cairns, where COVID-19 patients – returned travellers from PNG diagnosed in hotel quarantine – are already having to be flown on to Brisbane to free up beds.
Palaszczuk has already warned about the cracks in hotel quarantine. Today, she warned of a time when Queensland hospitals may no longer be able to take infected travellers.





Qld's last virus death was 335 days ago - yesterday five people died on our doorstep (inqld.com.au)