Eight Covid fatalities were reported by Queensland Health on Saturday, indicating 21 lives have been lost to the virus between then and this morning’s post, which also reported that 1123 people were receiving treatment in hospital, with 31 patients in ICU.

The latest numbers come as doctors and leading disease experts call for the toughening of public health measures such as mandated mask wearing, which the State Government has refused but continues to encourage, particularly indoors.

Health experts are also concerned about large public events, tying the gathering of people in confined spaces such as music festivals and sporting matches to spikes in the number of new Covid cases putting additional astrain on over=stretched health systems and stressed frontline clinical workers.

Those fears continue in the lead-up to next week’s Royal Queensland Show, or Ekka, which opens to the public on August 6, but will start the busy schedule of livestock competitions earlier in the week.

Hospitalisations in Queensland are not likely to peak for another month, with the latest modelling projecting a maximum caseload of about 1660 in late August.

The estimate represents an increase of close to 600 on existing hospital numbers, which are sitting at slightly more than 1000.

A total of 1170 patients are being treated across public and private health systems for COVID-19 or the flu.

The Queensland government says it is preparing by making extra hospital beds available and scaling up ambulance co-ordination efforts.

More health staff are being moved to the front line, with virtual care systems introduced in an effort to reduce strain on emergency departments.

“When we are faced with the worst, Queenslanders always step up,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk tweeted on Tuesday.

“It’s time to come together again and fight; get vaccinated, use a mask in crowds and indoors, and stay home if you’re sick.”

Ekka organisers have told InQueensland there has been no change in planning since the event’s CEO Brendan Christou declared the show was “full steam ahead with the backing of Queensland Health”.

In line with Queensland Health guidelines, Christou said no restrictions would be in place, but the event’s planners were taking steps to minimise exposure risks such as the installation of 300 hand-washing basins and hand sanitising stations throughout the showgrounds.

He said wearing masks in the Ekka’s indoor pavilions was encouraged but stressed 70 per cent of the show was outdoors.

Crowd numbers are also being managed, with tickets only available for purchase online and patrons directed to the nominate the day they will be attending.

As well as protecting human health, organisers are also contending with the looming foot and mouth disease threat to livestock.

More than 1300 head of cattle will be at the Bowen Hills show grounds during the Ekka, plus horses, goats, sheep and pigs.

A statement from the RNA said that with “sound and comprehensive biosecurity measures in place”, livestock events could be held successfully and with no disruption to the format.