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Fresh fears as Covid case appears 1700km away from lockdown

Queensland has recorded a new Covid-19 case late on Tuesday, some 1700km away from the 11 local governments in lockdown.

The additional case reported late on Tuesday takes the state's daily total to 17 cases.

In a statement, Queensland Health issued a public health alert for contact tracing locations in Cairns, Trinity Beach and Yorkey’s Knob.

The person tested positive on Tuesday and the circumstances surrounding how the person became infectious are under investigation, with more information to be released at the press conference on Wednesday.

Queensland reported 17 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday. Source: AAP
Queensland reported 17 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday. Source: AAP

"Tests are currently being performed to determine whether there is any infection risk to the community," Queensland Health said in the statement.

"Testing capacity is being increased in the Cairns and Hinterland Health Service region. People planning on attending the fever clinic at Cairns Hospital or COVID-19 drive-through clinic on Aumuller St can book online to help reduce their waiting time."

Queensland Health added the exposure sites relevant to Cairns, Trinity Beach and Yorkey's Knob, including a dental practice and an early learning centre.

Close contacts must quarantine and get tested and remain in isolation for 14 days after the exposure date.

The new close contact locations are:

  • 1300SMILES Dental Practice, Cairns Central Shopping Centre: Waiting room and reception area, Cairns City on Friday July 30, between 8.40am and 10.30am

  • Bluewater Village Early Learning,1-7 Maritime Way, Trinity Beach, on Friday July 30, between 12am and 11.59pm

  • Bluewater Village Early Learning,1-7 Maritime Way, Trinity Beach, on Monday August 2, between 12am and 11.59pm

  • Bluewater Village Early Learning,1-7 Maritime Way, Trinity Beach, on Tuesday August 3, between 12am and 11.59pm

  • Hidden Café, 12-14 Deauville Close, Yorkeys Knob, on Sunday August 1, between 10am and 12.15pm

Casual contacts must get tested and remain in quarantine until a negative result is seen.

The new casual contact locations are:

  • JB HIFI, Cairns Central, Store 1-2, Level 1 Corner Mcleod St and Spence St, Cairns City, on Thursday July 29, between 12.10pm and 12.50pm

  • Blu Marlin Bistro, Pier Cairns, 1 Spence St, Cairns City, on Saturday July 31, between 8am and 9am

  • Reef Fleet Terminal Pier Cairns, 1 Spence St, Cairns City, on Saturday July 31 2021, between 8am and 9am

  • Cairns Airport baggage carousel, 1 Airport Ave, Cairns North, Thursday July 29, between 11.15am and 11.45am

Low risk contacts must get tested but do not need to quarantine while waiting for their result, unless they have symptoms.

The new low risk locations are:

  • Cairns Central Shopping Centre, Lot 5, 1 McLeod St, Cairns City, on Friday July 30, between 8am and 10.30am

  • Cairns Domestic Airport (other than baggage carousel), 1 Airport Ave, Cairns North, Thursday July 29, between 11.15am and 11.45am

Southeast remains in lockdown

The southeast of Queensland remains in lockdown, with 11 local government areas subject to stay at home orders.

The 11 locked down LGAs are Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan City, Moreton Bay, Redlands, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Noosa, Somerset, Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim.

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young pleaded with people to abide by the lockdown to curb the spread of the Delta variant.

"Please don't move the virus. Wherever you are in the 11 LGAs, if you can, stay put so the virus doesn't move," she said.

Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan City, Moreton Bay, Redlands, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Noosa, Somerset, Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim all remain in lockdown. Source: Getty Images
Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan City, Moreton Bay, Redlands, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Noosa, Somerset, Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim all remain in lockdown. Source: Getty Images

In addition to the 16 positive cases, there are now more than 400 healthcare workers in quarantine in Queensland.

“We know this is a significant number of healthcare workers in quarantine, and unfortunately it means we have to delay non-urgent surgery and outpatient services as a result,” Dr Young said.

Of those in quarantine are all the cardiac surgeons at the Queensland Children’s Hospital.

Dr Young reassured Queenslanders no one would be denied urgent care though some non-urgent services in Hospital and Health Services have been suspended.

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