Queensland's Australian Medical Association president has warned the latest wave of COVID-19 could be the most severe for aged care homes, amid a shortage of protective gear and anti-viral medication.Dr Maria Boulton said the industry was nearing crisis point, with vulnerable and elderly people once again in the firing line."It is crisis at the moment and our doctors and health care workers are doing everything they can," she said.

"We are approaching the numbers that we had during the first Omicron wave earlier in the year and this cannot keep going."We need to do everything we can to protect everybody, especially those vulnerable people who are dying."Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said the government would do what it could to support the aged care sector.

"And if you have a loved one in an aged care home it doesn't matter where those antivirals are coming from they need to be readily accessible for those residents."The premier said the government is working on streamlining a process to administer the medication."A GP can now administer the script so it's a much easier process over telehealth, but those issues of aged care are matters for the federal government," Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

Queensland today recorded 6682 new cases of COVID-19 with 914 people in hospital.Masks are still required on public transport, and some private schools are introducing mask wearing at indoor events.Public schools can make their own decisions regarding mask-wearing rules."We are urging students and teachers to wear masks, strongly advising," Palaszczuk said.

Published on www.ninenews.com.au