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UPDATE 3.30PM: A ship that recorded a positive COVID-19 case on board is heading towards the Sunshine Coast. Chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young confirmed a seaman on the ship, which was off the Mackay coast on Saturday morning, had tested positive for COVID-19. The vessel, the MV United Grace, had travelled from Japan and was making its way to Mooloolaba. It is expected to arrive on the Sunshine Coast by Sunday afternoon. From there, the patient will be taken by paramedics to Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
INITIAL 9.30AM: A seaman on a ship sitting off the Mackay coast has tested positive to COVID-19.
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Subscriber only More than 1500 doses of the COVID-19 jab have been delivered in Mackay region hospitals, new data shows. Queensland Health figures revealed 1478 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered at Mackay Base Hospital as at April 2. Another 107 jabs have been delivered at Sarina Hospital, bringing to the total to 1585 - marking a significant milestone in Mackay s fight against COVID-19. This data reflects the COVID-19 vaccine doses Queensland Health has administered. The Australian Government has rolled out additional COVID-19 vaccinations in residential aged care and disability care facilities, but a breakdown of these figures for the Mackay region has not been provided.
Here s what a federal health department spokeswoman had to say:
1. How much of a delay is there for Mackay s aged care vaccine rollout? (Question was only answered in part) Scheduling of all residential aged care facilities, including for the Mackay region, is under way to deliver doses as safely and efficiently as possible for residents and staff. The Australian Government will continue to work with the states and territories and ensure the vaccination program is rolled out as safely and efficiently as possible. The Department is working with stakeholders to support facilities in the rollout, including aged care peak bodies and advocacy groups.
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Losing four family and friends to the COVID-19 pandemic has strengthened the resolve of a Mackay registered nurse to keep colleagues and the community safe.
Not only did Sonia Davids experience the devastating reality of COVID-19, she also spent three months stranded in lockdown in South Africa at the start of the pandemic last year.
As the newly appointed Mackay Hospital and Health Service nurse unit manager in charge of rolling out COVID-19 vaccination, Ms Davids is on a mission to ensure healthcare workers have access to the jab.
Ms Davids could never have imagined a three-week holiday to visit family and friends near Port Shepstone in South Africa would turn into months of lockdown and two weeks of mandatory quarantine in Perth.