There have been no new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the past 24 hours in Queensland however a confirmed case from Victoria who arrived in Queensland, after required isolation, has tested positive for the UK variant.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the risk was very low because she is at the end of her potential infectious period and with the normal variant it would not be a concern but because it is the UK variant, Dr Young is being cautious.
“She arrived into Victoria on 26 December flying in from the UK,” Dr Young said.
“She got tested in hotel quarantine there on 27 December, and she was found to be positive.
“She was then isolated and did the 10 days required isolation, cleared all her symptoms, and was allowed to leave Victoria and fly to Queensland on 5 January.
“She flew on a Jetstar flight, arriving here in Brisbane late on 5 January. We are just confirming the details of which flight because there were a number of Jetstar flights that evening so we are confirming that at the moment with her.
“Then she travelled up to Maleny where her parents live and she has been staying with her parents.
“Her parents have been tested and we’re working through any close contacts that need to be looked at there.
“We got her tested here yesterday and she is still testing positive, so that’s why we are now following through with her contacts.”
Dr Young asked for anyone who lives in Maleny area to get tested if they develop any symptoms.
There were 14,784 test in the past 24 hours and there are currently 21 active COVID-19 cases in Queensland.
The first case in the cluster (of one) that sparked a three-day lockdown in Ipswich and Greater Brisbane was a cleaner from the Grand Chancellor hotel.
All 91 close contacts have been tested and are in quarantine.
Dr Young said she was still concerned about the casual contacts that may have been in the areas listed below:
- Saturday 2 January – 7am – Train from Altandi station to Roma street
- Saturday 2 January – 4pm – Train from Central Station to Altandi station
- Sunday 3 January – 11am -12pm – Woolworths, Calamvale North
- Tuesday 5 January – 7.30am – 8am – Coles, Sunnybank Hills
- Tuesday 5 January – 8am – 8.15am – Newsagent, Sunnybank Hills Shopping Town
“To all of those people, whether or not you have symptoms, I would like you to come forward and get tested no matter where you are,” Dr Young said.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young wrote an open letter to explain why she felt a three-day lockdown was the best course of action.
“This action is needed to protect our most vulnerable and to allow contact tracers to understand the spread of any further infection,” Dr Young said.
“I know this will cause significant disruption to many of you, I’m sorry for that.
“However, please understand that a short lockdown for three days will hopefully avoid a lockdown for a much longer period. Better three days than three months.
“In recent days, we have ramped up our testing capacity significantly.
“I am grateful for everyone who gets tested and appreciate the patience shown at our clinics across the state.
“Testing remains a hugely important part of our response to this pandemic.
“Remember – that if you get tested, you are not only doing your own personal health a favour, but you’re also looking out for your loved ones and the broader community.
“Thank you again for your support and commitment. Together, we can all play a part to slow the spread.”
Two men were given on-the-spot- fines of $1300 for failing to wear a mask breaching health directives in Brisbane since the lockdown period began.
Ipswich residents along with Brisbane, Logan, Moreton and Redlands council areas will remain in a three day lockdown until 6pm Monday night.
For the latest contact tracing alerts, visit the Queensland Health website.
For anyone with concerns or is unsure if they need to get tested or isolate, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).
To find your nearest testing clinic, visit https://www.qld.gov.au/covid19testing
The list of contact tracing locations is available at https://www.qld.gov.au/health/covid-19/contact-tracing
