Queensland finds missing link in PAH cluster

2 April 2021

Queensland Health believes it has identified the missing link in the first of the two of Brisbane’s latest COVID-19 clusters, in a nurse from the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

The nurse, who is no longer an active case and is no longer infectious, was identified through serology testing. The epidemiology from this individual has linked her directly to the same patient that had infected the other clinician.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the nurse was likely infectious in mid-March.

“This nurse had worked on the same ward as the doctor who was infected and has returned a serology test indicating a prior infection with COVID-19.

In order to act cautiously, Queensland Health is releasing a list of venues that this case had visited.

“The venues that we have released go back as far as three weeks ago,” Dr Young said.

“We are asking everyone to think back to where they were, and where they have been.

“If you, or someone in your family or close circle, has attended these locations at these times, please follow the health advice.”

If you have visited the below venues at the relevant times:

• If it’s been 14 days or less since you visited a venue under Close Contacts at the relevant time, get tested immediately and quarantine at home until 14 days has passed.
• If it’s been 14 days or less since you visited a venue under Casual Contacts at the relevant time, get tested immediately and quarantine until you get a negative result.
• If you have visited the venues of interest more than 14 days ago, you should:
  • Get tested if you have any symptoms and isolate until you get a negative result.
  • If asymptomatic, visit a GP next week to arrange a blood test.

Close Contacts

Casual Contacts