Could the Gold Coast go into lockdown? Expert reveals how new COVID cases could see Brisbane restrictions expand - 7NEWS.com.au

An epidemiologist has revealed what he believes needs to happen to prevent Brisbane extending its three-day lockdown.

The Queensland capital city is due to exit a snap lockdown at 5pm on Thursday.

However, a surge in cases on Tuesday, with eight new locally acquired infections, has cast that into doubt.

Epidemiologist Peter Collignon told Sunrise there should be one determining factor in whether the lockdown is prolonged.

“I think we have got to see with happens with the cases over the next couple days,” he said.

“If we see a lot of cases, it probably will be (extended).

“But the really critical thing is how many mystery cases we find. In other words, cases in the community that are not linked.”

Eight local cases in a day, as reported on Tuesday, may seem daunting on paper.

But Collignon says it’s promising that they were all linked to existing cases.

Two women wearing protective face masks are seen walking along the Kangaroo Point Cliffs in Brisbane. Credit: DARREN ENGLAND/AAPIMAGE

“If all the cases you find, as is often the case in the last outbreaks we have had in Melbourne, Sydney, if they’re all in quarantine, then extending a lockdown for everybody doesn’t help much.

“But if you actually find mystery cases, unlinked cases, that is when there is a need to continue the lockdown.

“Particularly if you have got large numbers and your contact tracers are having difficulty getting on top of all the numbers.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk described the outbreak as “two distinct clusters” beginning to emerge, including one sparked by an unvaccinated nurse who worked in the COVID ward at Princess Alexandra Hospital.

From Wednesday, only health workers who have received their first dose of the vaccine can look after patients.

“Do we expect to see more cases - probably, probably we will see more,” she said.

“The big question will be whether or not we see unlinked community transmission.”

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young has also left the door open to expand lockdown measures to other regions.

The local government areas affected by Brisbane’s lockdown. Credit: 7NEWS

“The message here is that people should be on alert, no matter where they are in Queensland,” she said.

The region was declared a COVID-19 hotspot on Tuesday by Federal Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly, who warned the situation was escalating.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMigwFodHRwczovLzduZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9zdW5yaXNlL29uLXRoZS1zaG93L2JyaXNiYW5lLWxvY2tkb3duLWV4dGVuc2lvbi1kb2VzbnQtaGVscC1tdWNoLWlmLWFsbC1jYXNlcy1hcmUtbGlua2VkLWV4cGVydC1zYXlzLWMtMjQ3OTgzMdIBhwFodHRwczovLzduZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9zdW5yaXNlL29uLXRoZS1zaG93L2JyaXNiYW5lLWxvY2tkb3duLWV4dGVuc2lvbi1kb2VzbnQtaGVscC1tdWNoLWlmLWFsbC1jYXNlcy1hcmUtbGlua2VkLWV4cGVydC1zYXlzLWMtMjQ3OTgzMS5hbXA?oc=5

2021-03-30 20:43:30Z
52781475234052

Bagikan Berita Ini