23 July 2021
Public Health Alert
A public health alert is being issued for more contact tracing locations in Banyo, Sandstone Point, Caboolture and Virginia.
We are asking all Queenslanders to regularly monitor the list of exposure venues on the Queensland Health website and follow the public health advice.
Contact tracing venues and flights can be found at http://www.health.qld.gov.au/tracing.
A reminder for all Queenslanders – if you have any COVID-19 symptoms at any time, no matter how mild, you should immediately get tested for COVID-19.
Case update
Queenslanders are urged to be vigilant following a new locally acquired case announced this morning.
Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young said this new case started showing symptoms on Tuesday, 13 July and was tested on Wednesday, 21 July.
“A positive result was recorded late Thursday afternoon and the patient is now being managed in a Queensland Health COVID-19 Hospital,” Dr Young said.
“Global standards set by the WHO determine a person’s infectious period to begin two days prior to showing symptoms which is why the infectious period for this particular case has been backdated to Sunday 11 July.”
Dr Young said once the positive COVID-19 result was received, Queensland Health immediately got into action to minimise the risk to the community.
“Queensland Health staff have been working hard to finalise details of this case and we have confirmed the genome sequencing is identical to around 60 Delta variant sequences loaded on the database that are in Sydney,” she said.
“From investigations with the positive case throughout the night and into today, Queensland Health has been able to complete further testing and contact tracing.
“The COVID-19 positive case is a flight attendant for small haul regional flights, including those that transport people to and from regional New South Wales.
“Since the infectious period began (11 July), the case worked on six (6) flights. We have identified a total of 267 passengers which may have been in close contact. 250 of those have already been contacted by the public health unit and 166 have been tested.
“We are aware she has been in contact from people in various communities in Queensland including Longreach, Hervey Bay and Gladstone.
“Our contact tracers work around the clock to achieve the best possible health outcome for all Queenslanders and they have done an incredible job so far in locating and contacting close contacts of this confirmed case so quickly.
“Thank you to all Queenslanders for doing their part to minimise the spread of COVID-19 by downloading the Check In Qld app and checking in. This app is all about keeping Queenslanders safe and helping our contact tracers when there is an increased risk of COVID-19 in our community.”
We are asking all Queenslanders to regularly monitor the list of exposure venues on the Queensland Health website and follow the public health advice.
Contact tracing venues and flights can be found at http://www.health.qld.gov.au/tracing.
Testing facilities
Longreach
A pop-up COVID testing clinic has been established at the Longreach Showgrounds today and will be open until 9pm tonight.
Testing will continue to be available in Longreach over the weekend and on Monday at the following locations and times:
- 24 July: 9am to 3pm – Longreach Showgrounds;
- 25 July: 9am to 3pm – Longreach Showgrounds;
- 26 July: 9am to 12 noon – back of Longreach Hospital.
Testing for COVID-19 also is available any day at all Central West Hospital and Health Service facilities.
Gladstone
The Gladstone COVID-19 testing clinic (located at the CQUniversity TAFE campus) hours will be extended to enable more testing to take place. Hours are now 8am to 5pm each day and the clinic is open over the weekend.
Hervey Bay
The Hervey Bay Fever Clinic located in St Stephen’s Hospital car park will also be extending their clinic hours to ensure additional testing can be facilitated. Operating hours are now 8am to 5pm, including the weekend.
For more Central Queensland COVID-19 testing clinic locations, days and times, visit our website at www.health.qld.gov.au/cq/covid-19/fever-clinics
There is a range of testing locations in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast which are operating over the weekend. Please visit, https://www.qld.gov.au/covid19testing