Estimating the incidence of COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus infection in three regions of Queensland, Australia, winter 2022: findings from a novel longitudinal testing-based sentinel surveillance programme.

Objective: The 2022 Australian winter was the first time that COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were circulating in the population together, after two winters of physical distancing, quarantine and borders closed to international travellers. We developed a novel surveillance system to estimate the incidence of COVID-19, influenza and RSV in three regions of Queensland, Australia.

Design: We implemented a longitudinal testing-based sentinel surveillance programme.

Inequity of healthcare access for patients with diabetic foot disease: a retrospective study in south-east Queensland.

Objectives: Logan local government area (LGA) in Queensland has the highest diabetes prevalence (6.5%) within Metro South Health (MSH). The study aimed to determine the burden of, and equity of access to secondary healthcare, for diabetic foot disease (DFD) for Logan residents to better inform healthcare services planning.

Factors associated with hospitalisations and deaths of residential aged care residents with COVID-19 during the Omicron (BA.1) wave in Queensland.

Objective: To identify characteristics associated with the hospitalisation and death of people with COVID-19 living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs).

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting, Participants: All confirmed (polymerase chain reaction testing) or probable SARS-CoV-2 infections (rapid antigen tests) in residents of the 86 RACFs in the Metro South Hospital and Health Service area (southeast Queensland), 13 December 2021 - 24 January 2022.

Protocol for a winter sentinel surveillance program of notifiable respiratory viruses in Queensland.

Background: With the reduction in access to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and changes in testing guidelines in Australia, a reduced number of people are seeking testing for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), limiting the opportunity to monitor disease transmission. Knowledge of community transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses is essential to better predict subsequent surges in cases during the pandemic to alert health services, protect vulnerable populations and enhance public health measures. We describe a methodology for a testing-based sentinel surveillance program to monitor disease in the community for early signal detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses.