Queensland respiratory infection update 8 Aug 25
08 Aug 2025
The latest Queensland Health data shows nearly 400 public hospital beds across Queensland are occupied by flu, COVID-19 or RSV patients each day.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Catherine McDougall said most public hospital acute respiratory illness patients were being treated for flu.
“Flu is still circulating in the community and we’re continuing to see increasing numbers of hospitalisations,” Dr McDougall said.
“An average of 227 public hospital beds are occupied daily by flu patients, with nearly half of these patients aged over 65 years.”
Since the start of the year, 4,685 Queenslanders have been hospitalised with flu, including 472 children under five years – with 85 per cent of hospitalised patients not vaccinated.
Flu vaccination is especially important for anyone aged over 65 and children aged less than five, with both these cohorts are at higher risk of severe illness from flu.
“I continue to remind Queenslanders that in addition to vaccination, it is important to prioritise good hygiene habits such as washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or inside of your arm, and staying at home when you are sick to stop the spread of respiratory illnesses,” Dr McDougall said.
RSV cases and hospitalisations have remained steady in the past week. New COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations continue to decrease; however, cases may rise again as new variants circulate.
Dr McDougall reminded Queenslanders it is not too late to get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19.
“Less than 28 per cent Queenslanders are vaccinated against flu. However, it’s great that so many people heard the most recent message to get vaccinated against flu, with more than 15,000 Queenslanders getting vaccinated in the past week (between 27 July to 3 August),” Dr McDougall said.
Queenslanders can receive a free flu vaccination from more than 2,500 community immunisation providers across the state, including GPs, community pharmacies and community clinics.
If you’re due for a COVID-19 booster dose, it can be administered at the same time as the flu vaccination.
Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 surveillance data as of 3 August 2025 is below.
Influenza
This year to date, Queensland has recorded 48,026 cases – 89 per cent of confirmed cases are not vaccinated. Of these cases:
- 5,084 (11 per cent) were aged less than 5 years, while 8,394 (17 per cent) were aged 65 years and over and 23,300 cases (49 per cent) were aged between 18 and 64 years.
- An average of 227 public hospital beds across the state are occupied every day by flu patients currently, which is up from an average of 206 beds in the previous week (July 21-27).
- 3,938 cases were recorded last week (28 July to 3 August).
- There have been 106 flu related deaths this year (1 January – 3 August 2025), compared with 94 deaths during the same period last year (1 January – 3 August 2024).
- Currently, 1,671,542 Queenslanders have been vaccinated against flu this year (up to 3 August 2025). This compares to a total of 1,655,753 in the previous week (up to 27 July 2025).
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
RSV notifications have remained steady, with 901 cases notified in the last week.
There have been 21,928 cases reported this year. Of these cases:
- 5,749 (26 per cent) were children aged less than 2 years.
- 2,540 (12 per cent) were admitted to hospital, with 954 (38 per cent) of these aged less than 2 years.
- Hospitalisations have remained steady, with 57 people in hospital with RSV on 3 August 2025. An average of 63 public hospital beds across the state are occupied every day by RSV patients currently.
COVID-19
COVID-19 notifications have remained steady, with 1,120 COVID-19 cases reported in the last week.
This year to date, 27,419 cases have been recorded. Of these cases:
- 6,705 (24 per cent) were aged 75 years and over.
- 5,386 (20 per cent) were admitted to hospital, including 3,446 (64 per cent) aged 65 years and older. As on 3 August 2025, 107 people were in hospital with COVID-19, 69 per cent (74 people) were aged over 65 years.
- An average of 110 public hospital beds are occupied daily by COVID-19 patients.
- 92 per cent of all COVID-19 hospitalisations are not up to date with vaccination.
Further information:
- For weekly updates on the current situation, visit the Queensland Health’s Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance website.
- Free flu vaccination is available to all Queensland residents aged 6 months or older. More information on the 2025 Free Flu Vaccination Program is available on the Queensland Health website.
- Queenslanders are encouraged to consider a COVID-19 booster based on age and risk assessment as well as an annual flu vaccination. More information is available on the Australian Government website.
- The COVID-19 vaccine can be administered at the same time as the flu vaccination. People should talk to their health provider for more information.
- RSV vaccination is free in Queensland for all expectant mothers during weeks 28 to 36 of pregnancy, and some infants may be eligible for the free infant RSV immunisation. For further information on RSV immunisation eligibility, visit the Queensland Health website.
- Further flu vaccination data is available on the Australian Government website.
