{"id":148611,"date":"2021-12-31T10:00:23","date_gmt":"2021-12-31T10:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/?p=148611"},"modified":"2021-12-31T10:00:23","modified_gmt":"2021-12-31T10:00:23","slug":"container-used-as-temporary-morgue-for-covid-victims-as-omicron-takes-hold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/container-used-as-temporary-morgue-for-covid-victims-as-omicron-takes-hold\/","title":{"rendered":"Container used as temporary morgue for Covid victims as Omicron takes hold"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A council has set up a shipping container to act as a temporary morgue as Covid-19 cases continue to grow on their doorstep. <\/p>\n

Queensland Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Mislam Sam announced the horrifying move on Facebook to encourage the island's indigenous community to get vaccinated. <\/p>\n

The warning came as the northern tip of Australia had already recorded a virus infection, and with 92 active cases at nearby Townsville he said the virus was likely to reach Palm Island. <\/p>\n

Queensland reported a huge 2,222 daily cases across the state on Thursday (December 30).<\/p>\n

\u201cClearly Omicron is spreading like wildfire throughout the state,\u201d Mayor Sam said.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe people who are getting sick are those who are not vaccinated. <\/p>\n

"It's already on Thursday Island. There's every reason to think with all the cases in Townsville that some of our residents have already been exposed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWear your mask \u2014 even if you don't lawfully need to \u2014 and get a booster shot or get vaccinated TODAY.\u201d<\/p>\n

The mayor added there are almost 1,000 Palm Islanders who are still not vaccinated, which he called a "serious concern".<\/p>\n

Several Indigenous communities live on the Island that has a low 58.4% double vaccination rate, News.com.au reports.<\/p>\n

Mayor Sam said in a later Facebook post the temporary morgue should remain as a stark reminder to unvaccinated locals that they are at serious risk.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe all look at the current infection numbers and think that\u2019s what will happen here, that we won\u2019t get real sick or die.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe big difference is our population is massively under vaccinated compared to the rest of Queensland.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll medical advice to us indicates deaths are anticipated from Covid on Palm and that is an avoidable tragedy waiting to happen,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He urged people to do their bit so the morgue wouldn't have to be utilised.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to see this temporary morgue used at all but it\u2019s up to people to take care of their own health, their own future,\u201d Mayor Sam said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have too many funerals now. I know this is confronting but it\u2019s time for tough advice to be listened to.\u201d<\/p>\n

The photo of the temporary morgue has attracted some criticism from locals, with some disagreeing with the decision.<\/p>\n

Others urged residents to get vaccinated and stay safe.<\/p>\n