January 7, 2021
A public health alert has been issued for locations across Brisbane following the confirmation that a quarantine hotel worker has tested positive to COVID-19.
The Algester woman, aged in her 20s, worked a shift as a cleaner at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Brisbane on January 2.
She tested positive to the highly contagious UK-variant of the novel coronavirus on Wednesday (January 6).
Aged care facilities in the Metro North, Metro South and West Moreton health service regions have been placed into lockdown as a result of the positive test.
Visits to hospitals, jails and disability accommodation in these three health regions are also banned.
Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young said genome sequencing had confirmed the hotel worker has the UK variant.
“We’re taking a very cautious approach with this case, now that we know for sure this person has the UK variant of the virus,” she said.
“Evidence shows that this variant is 70 per cent more infectious than other strains.
“This is why I’m taking this firm action swiftly, to protect our most vulnerable facilities.”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urged anyone with even the mildest symptoms in the Algester, Sunnybank Hills or Calamvale area to get tested.
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Queensland Health said anyone who has been at the any of the locations listed below – during the relevant time periods – should come forward and get tested, regardless of whether they have symptoms.
They should then isolate until they receive their results.
Critically, even if a negative test result is received, people are asked to continue to monitor for symptoms and get retested if necessary.
- January 2 – Train from Altandi Station (Sunnybank) to Roma Street (Brisbane) – 7:00am
- January 2 – Train from Central Station (Brisbane) to Altandi Station (Sunnybank) – 4:00pm
- January 3 – Woolworths Calamvale – 11:00am – noon
- January 5 – Coles Sunnybank Hills – 7:30am-8:00am
- January 5 – Nextra Newsagency, Sunnybank Hills Shopping Town – 8:00am-8:15am
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UPDATE January 9:
Queensland Health is asking anyone who visited Coles Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown on January 5 between 7:30-8:00am, or Woolworths Calamvale North on January 3 between 11:00am-noon, to get tested and quarantine for 14 days since attending those venues.
The Public Health Unit has determined that anyone who attended these venues to be close contacts with the most recent confirmed case.
[UPDATED]
