No new local cases in Qld as state reels from shock withdrawal of new chief health officer

Queensland may have avoided any new local Covid cases, but the state is still reeling from the shock resignation of incoming chief health officer Krispin Hajkowicz just weeks away from the borders reopening.

Dr Hajkowicz was due to become the state’s top doctor on Monday, with current chief health officer Jeannette Young being sworn in as the state’s new governor.

Leaders are now scrambling for a permanent replacement as the state enters a crucial phase of the pandemic.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles on Friday said there were no new cases and 17 active cases in the state, with 14,219 vaccines administered over the past 24 hours. The state is eging towards a 63 per cent full vaccination rate.

Mr Miles said it was sad that Dr Hajkowicz couldn’t take up the role but Queensland Health would not “miss a beat”.

“It was unexpected … and he has asked that we respect his privacy,” Mr Miles said.

Mr Miles also ruled out extending Dr Young’s role as chief health officer, and said she was “very ready” to take on her new role.

Deputy chief health officer Peter Aitken will act in the role for now.

In a brief release published on Thursday afternoon, Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said she “respected Dr Hajkowicz’s decision and his request for privacy” and added that he had cited “personal reasons” for withdrawing from the job.

Dr Hajkowicz was unveiled as the top doctor’s replacement earlier this month to resounding fanfare, with Dr Young declaring his expertise critical to handling the next phase of the pandemic when hospitals are expected to be flooded with infections.

His sudden withdrawal from the job on Thursday evening comes as the state prepares itself for an influx of Covid-19 cases when border restrictions ease on December 17.

With James Hall