COVD-19 has reached most Torres and Cape communities in far north Queensland.
As of Thursday afternoon there were 279 active cases in the region.
This has Torres Strait Regional Council Mayor Phillemon Mosby highly concerned.
"Having one case in a particular island in the Torres Strait is an ordeal for us," he told NITV News.
"It is very alarming and overwhelming due to the fact that we know how remote we are, we know how vulnerable we are."
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Executive Director of Medical Services Dr Marlow Coates said while there is understandable concern as cases emerge, the community is banding together well to combat the spread.
Torres Strait Regional mayor Phillemon Mosby says COVID-19 cases in the Torres Strait are 'alarming and overwhelming'. Source: NITV News
"A lot of our planning is centred on partnering with local organisations, councils, elected leaders, non-government organisations in the region, Aboriginal medical services and outreach providers to ensure we're providing as much broad support as possible," he said.
"When coronavirus is (first) detected in communities... there are the understandable concerns that it's finally arrived in that region.
"But it triggers a quick escalation and collaboration and togetherness from all of those agencies to support."
'High layer of protection'
Dr Coates said he's also pleased to see high vaccination rates across the region, and that most people who contract COVID-19 are able to manage their symptoms at home.
"While it is concerning and people are alarmed and concerned about coronavirus coming in, many of the communities have a high layer of protection in place," he said.
"On top of that, we're seeing really good community banding and community togetherness when it comes to vaccination.
"Across the whole Torres and Cape region we're at 70 per cent double vaccinated for people over the age of 12, which is excellent... and there's a few communities there that are up in the 98-99 per cent... vaccinated."
Mr Mosby said despite high vaccination rates, COVID-19 could still have a devastating impact on Torres Strait communities.
Dr Coates says communities across the Cape and Torres Strait have high rates of vaccination, which is heartening. Source: Supplied
"Although our numbers are looking good in terms of the vaccination we are heavily concerned about what is the capacity or capability of the health system if there are multiple cases in a community or across the community," he said.
"We're spread out across 15 different island communities, spread across 42,000 hectares of water. That's a big challenge already.
"Having the additional burden of managing several cases either in one community or across several communities would be a very challenging time."
Mr Mosby said the Torres and Cape disaster management groups have asked the Queensland government for lockouts, which would prevent people from entering their communities.
He said their request was denied, and Torres Strait Islander communities feel ignored.
"While the (Queensland) Chief Health Officer made it quite clear there would be a surge at the end of January and into February, that's the only thing we've seen predicted to be increased," he said.
"There has been no further commitment to ensure the safety of my people in this region, in terms of social support, emotional support and also making available funds to help people transit through this time into a 'new norm'.
"Everybody is talking about a surge and everybody is talking about the new norm but nobody is prepared to put their money where their mouth is."
