QLD coronavirus cluster may be linked to Melbourne traveller
Queensland authorities have revealed the coronavirus cluster from a Brisbane detention centre is the same strain that was detected in one of three women who travelled from Melbourne to Queensland last month.
The state has been prompted to limit indoor and outdoor gatherings after a burgeoning cluster was identified at the Brisbane’s Youth Detention Centre at Wacol.
Queensland authorities expanded a public health alert to 67 venues, up from 40, as the coronavirus cluster linked to the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre grew to 10.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles told reporters on Tuesday genomic testing had now revealed the first case at the cluster had the same strain as one of three women who allegedly flouted quarantine rules last month after flying back to Queensland from Melbourne.
It was also the same strain detected in the diners at a restaurant believed to have acquired the coronavirus from that same person.
It is alleged three women from the Logan area deliberately provided misleading documents at the Queensland border about visiting Melbourne coronavirus hotspots before testing positive for the virus after returning to the sunshine state.
“That doesn’t disprove the theory they are related, it doesn’t prove the theory either because that strain, the B1125 strain, is the most common strain most currently circulating in Victoria, therefore there could be other sources of that strain here,” he said.
“Further genomic testing will, though, be able to confirm if the two are indeed linked.
Authorities are now striving to find the missing link between the Logan cluster last month and the new Wacol cluster. Further genomic testing will be carried out within the next 48 hours.
No new coronavirus cases were reported in Queensland on Tuesday.
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