Sixteen people have died from COVID-19 in Queensland in the latest reporting period, the highest daily death toll yet recorded in the state.
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said the state has confirmed 15,962 new cases of COVID and 819 people are being treated for their symptoms in hospital.
There are 50 people in ICU wards, with 18 of them on ventilators.
Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said while the number of people in hospital for COVID had risen significantly compared to 702 cases on Monday, he would not make too much out of it just yet.
"The numbers are going up, there's no question about that," Dr Gerrard said.
"That is what we've been predicting, we're heading towards our peak, that is still projected to be towards the end of this month."
Ms D'Ath said 45 people had now died in Queensland from COVID in the current Omicron wave, but only one of those people had received a vaccine booster shot.
Of the most recent deaths, three people were in their 70s, eight in their 80s, four in their 90s and one person aged over 100.
Four had not been vaccinated, two had received one dose and 10 had been double vaccinated — none had received a booster.
Nine were residential aged care residents.
"The virus does seem to be finding older people who have not received that third dose in terms of the current status of the of the pandemic in Queensland," Dr Gerrard said.
Ms D'Ath said only 56.5 per cent of people currently eligible for a vaccine booster had received their third jab and urged people to do so as soon as possible.
Minister urges parents to get teens vaccinated
Ms D'Ath also expressed concern about the number of people in their 20s and 30s coming forward to get their second vaccination.
"We know many of these people in this age group are the ones who are becoming positive with COVID," she said.
"I want to be clear that if you have had COVID that there is no reason to delay coming forward for a vaccination whether it's a first, a second or a booster.
"As long as you have recovered from your symptoms there is no reason to delay coming forward."
Ms D'Ath also said vaccinations in children aged 12 to 15 years of age had slowed and she urged parents to take their teenagers to get vaccinated.
"I remind everyone as schools are going to open in February, that it's important that all of our school kids get vaccinated, not just the five- to 11-year-olds," she said.
"Currently, 73.27 per cent of our 12- to 15-year-olds have had one dose and only 65.81 per cent two doses.
"Now I'd like to see that bigger much higher as these young people and teenagers look at going back to school in the very near future."
Limits put on hospital visitors
Dr Gerrard said while the virus is widespread across the state, large parts of south-east Queensland was experiencing a rise in cases.
"[These] include the entire metropolitan Brisbane area, there's quite a bit of activity in Ipswich, which is causing pressure on Ipswich Hospital, also significant numbers of cases in Cairns and of course the Gold Coast."
The Health Minister has announced changes to rules on visitors in hospitals to reduce the potential spread of the virus around health facilities.
"This will limit the number of visitors at any one time to two people in wards and one additional person in addition to the patient themselves, who can attend in an emergency department," Ms D'Ath said.
"At the moment we're not putting a complete ban on visitors as we did have to do previously, but we are limiting the numbers.
"Of course, there'll be exceptions to that rule particularly around palliative care, end-of-life visits and maternity."
Federal government RAT ads 'irresponsible': D'Ath
Ms D'Ath said federal government advertisements spruiking free rapid antigen tests (RAT) at public testing clinics were incorrect and she criticised the decision to run them.
"I think those ads are very self-serving. They are highly political, and it's about Mr Morrison positioning himself to look good in the lead up to an election," Ms D'Ath said.
"To actually be running these ads knowing that there is not enough supply at public testing clinics to give everyone who turns up with symptoms that was a close contact a free test is, I think, irresponsible."
A spokesperson for federal Minister for Health and Aged Care said the Commonwealth had provided over 5.7 million RATs to aged care and this week had provided 100,000 to assist the Queensland government "even though testing is a state responsibility".
"It is surprising and concerning that the Queensland Minister is not aware of either the support for aged care or even the delivery or Commonwealth rapid antigen tests to her own government at her own request," the spokesperson said.
"It would be even more concerning if she were aware and made knowingly false comments.
"We understand that Queensland has commenced their RAT program, ordering much later than other states — ultimately, they may want to explain why that is the case."
The spokesman also aid the ads "supported what has been the case throughout the pandemic — that testing at a clinic is free".
"The ads are running across the country and are clear — that if you have symptoms or are a close contact, you can access a free rapid antigen test or PCR test at state testing clinics," the spokesperson said.
