‘High-risk sites’: Warning after doctor with Covid visits cafe, gym and hotel
Queensland health authorities have identified three high-risk sites after a Brisbane hospital was placed under lockdown due to a case of Covid-19.
The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Woolloongabba has barred all non-essential visitors, and while the Emergency Department will remain open, patients are being urged to first seek out care at other hospitals or a GP if possible.
The changes were implemented on Friday night after a doctor was in contact with Covid-positive patients in the early hours of March 10 and was infectious while in the community on March 11, according to Queensland Health.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told reporters on Saturday the two patients the doctor treated have the highly contagious UK strain of coronavirus however it is not known at this stage if the doctor has the same strain.
"The patients she was treating had the UK strain," she said.
"We do not yet know if the doctor as the same strain, but we're expecting that to be the case.
"Contact tracing is under way."
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The premier said the doctor had not received a vaccine for Covid-19.
Three high-risk sites identified
Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Sonya Bennett told reporters on Saturday there are three high-risk sites the staff member with Covid visited on Thursday.
“One is The Morning After cafe at West End. Where the person was present from 2pm to 3.15pm,” Dr Bennett said.
“The other sites are the Corporate Box gym at Greenslopes where the person attended between 5.45pm and 7pm.
“Again, anyone there at the same time and we understand they're in the vicinity of about 11 people will go into quarantine and Stones Corner hotel at Stones Corner. That evening between 7pm and 7.45pm.”
Dr Bennett added there are also two low-risk sites including McDonald's at Coorparoo where the doctor used the drive-thru from 3.10-3.20pm and the Corporate Box Gym after 7pm when they left the premises.
She said there were no reports of the doctor breaching the use of PPE.
Authorities are hoping to know on Sunday whether the doctor has the more contagious strain.
More to come.
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