July 20, 2021
Queensland Health has issued a public alert for sites in the Sunshine Coast, following confirmation of a new COVID-19 case in the State.
New contract tracing locations have been listed in Buderim, Flaxton, Montville, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba and Noosa Heads as well as Brisbane Airport and Cairns.
Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the new case was acquired in Victoria before that State was declared a hotspot for Queensland.
“The new confirmed case went to Young and Jackson (hotel) on July 10,” Dr Young said.
She travelled from Melbourne to Maroochydore on July 13.
The woman was contacted by Victorian health authorities on July 15 stating she had been to a “Tier 1” exposure site.
She immediately was tested and returned a negative result the following day.
That afternoon, she visited a friend at Maroochydore and went to the Universal Store at Sunshine Coast Plaza.
In the evening, she visited the Rice Boi restaurant at Mooloolaba Wharf between 6:45pm and 8:00pm.
On July 17, she started displaying COVID-19 symptoms and was issued with a quarantine direction by Queensland Health.
“On July 18, a second COVID-19 test was facilitated which returned a positive reading (on Monday),” Dr Young said.
This second test was taken at Mareeba.
“The person has been in the Sunshine Coast and Mareeba communities while in their potentially infectious period … so I urge Queenslanders to continue to check the contact tracing locations website and follow any health advice,” Dr Young said.
“And, as always, if you have any COVID-19 symptoms at any time, no matter how mild, you should immediately get tested for COVID-19.”
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Following an increase in COVID-19 cases in South Australia – and the announcement of local restrictions there – Queensland will declare all of South Australia a hotspot from 1:00am on Thursday (July 22).
Anyone who has been to South Australia will not be allowed to enter Queensland unless they are a returning Queensland resident, except for a limited range of people who can enter for an essential purpose.
Queensland residents, and anyone who is allowed to enter Queensland from these locations, will be required to go into 14 days mandatory hotel quarantine.
“The situation in South Australia is concerning, and as they’ve announced a State wide lockdown, we have declared the state a hotspot,” Dr Young said.
“And as an additional precaution, I’m requiring those entering Queensland from South Australia before 1:00am on Thursday to immediately get tested and quarantine at home if they have been to any exposure venue in South Australia.
“We will continue to monitor the situation in South Australia, NSW and Victoria, and act accordingly, in line with the risk level and their own local restrictions.”
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Dr Young also reminded people who can be vaccinated to register for an appointment ASAP.
“Anyone aged 60 or older who isn’t already vaccinated should visit their GP as soon as possible to have your first dose of AstraZeneca,” she said.
“And anyone of any age who has already had a dose of AstraZeneca should book to get their second dose at or close to 12 weeks after the first.
“Everyone else who can be vaccinated should register their interest for an appointment.”
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