Tonga’s government has released its first official update since the volcanic eruption and tsunami on Saturday, saying the death toll could rise. 

With communications previously hampered by a damaged undersea cable, Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni announced yesterday in a statement that all homes on one of Tonga’s small outer islands have been destroyed by the eruption, with three people so far confirmed dead. 

Sovaleni has described the tsunami effects as an ‘unprecedented disaster’ with the island losing a substantial percentage of its initial surface area. 

On Sunday Queensland recorded three COVID-19 deaths, with 670 patients in hospital, 49 in intensive care and 16 on ventilators.

29 people in QLD have died of the virus, however, quoting Chief Health Officer John Gerrard, “there have been relatively few surprises in terms of the type of people who have died from COVID-19, older people with pre-existing conditions”.

As of Sunday, the state had 203,657 active cases.

The Palaszczuk government opened the borders while the state continued to manage with a surge in coronavirus cases with a limited testing capacity.

Queensland health staff were bearing the brunt of a surge in Coronavrius cases as one-in 20 staff were away from work due to COVID-19 infections.

The data was released after an urgent directive to procure protective equipment at one aged care facility as case numbers increased.

With a 10 percent jump in hospitalizations on Saturday, Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said the greatest pressure remains on the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

The State Government is to consider who will use a 1000 room quarantine facility at Toowoomba that has nearly finished construction.

It is uncertain who will use the multimillion dollar 'Wellcamp' facility after quarantine requirements had reduced and after widespread vaccination.

Potential guests are expected to have to pay $3220 for a 14-day stay at the facility which is leased to the QLD government for 12 months.