The 19-year-old woman who was infectious in the Queensland community for 10 days before testing positive to COVID-19 has been confirmed as having the highly contagious Delta variant.
Key points:
- Millions of people in Queensland must abide by the lockdown measures set to end on Friday 6:00pm
- Chief Health Officer has urged anyone with even mild cold-like symptoms to get tested
- International arrivals are putting our community at an unacceptable risk, Deputy Premier Steven Miles says
The woman worked outside the COVID-19 ward at Brisbane's Prince Charles Hospital and was not vaccinated.
Queensland Health said further sequencing work is underway to see if the clerical workers' infection matches any other clusters.
She was infectious from Saturday June 19 and showed symptoms on Monday June 21, before coming forward a week later for testing.
The woman had travelled from Brisbane to Magnetic Island via Townsville in the state's north.
The Delta variant has been detected in more than 80 countries since it first emerged in India, and has infected millions across the world.
It is the variant that triggered Sydney's Bondi cluster, which quickly spread to 130 cases, and travelled around the country.
The confirmation of the Delta strain came as lockdown began for south-east Queensland and Townsville areas – including Magnetic and Palm Islands – as authorities try to contain the outbreak.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said earlier today anyone with even mild cold-like symptoms should get tested.
Two household members and a friend also have symptoms and were awaiting test results.
AAP: Darren England
)Queensland's latest lockdown comes into effect
People in south-east Queensland and parts of north Queensland have entered lockdown — the third in the state this year.
Non-essential shops, hairdressers and gyms are among the businesses forced to close.
ABC News: Stephen Cavenagh
)More than 3.6 million people must abide by the lockdown measures set to end on Friday at 6:00pm – but if there are a raft of new cases that it is likely to be extended.
People in the Brisbane, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Moreton, Redlands, Logan, Somerset, Scenic Rim, Lockyer Valley and Townsville council areas and the Palm Island Aboriginal Shire should stay at home except for:
- Essential shopping
- Getting healthcare including your vaccination
- Attending essential work or childcare
- Helping vulnerable people
Masks are mandatory when leaving the house.
Some businesses have closed including gyms, hairdressers, beauty and personal care providers, entertainment and recreational venues, cinemas and churches.
- Funerals are restricted to 20 people
- Weddings are restricted to 10 with dancing and singing banned
- Household visitors are limited to two
- Restaurants and cafes are only allowed to provide take away or home delivery.
Essential shops will remain open for groceries.
Premier 'furious' worker was not vaccinated
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the lockdown was necessary.
"We need to go hard and we need to go fast," Ms Palaszczuk said.
Ms Palaszczuk said the hospital worker was not vaccinated.
"I am absolutely furious about this," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"We need to make sure that we are getting our population vaccinated right across the state."
Queensland Health said 66 per cent of its staff have received at least one dose of the vaccine so far – not including staff that have been vaccinated by their GP.
Some members of Australia's Tokyo Olympics swimming team were on Magnetic Island at the same time as the infected hospital worker.
Swimming Australia said they have been separated from the main group and would be tested.
International arrivals remain a concern
Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles said international arrivals were an issue.
"Our international borders are supposed to be closed but every week thousands of people are allowed to travel," Mr Miles said.
AAP: Darren England
)He said 121 people arrived from overseas in to Queensland yesterday and another 190 were expected today.
"These are putting our community at an unacceptable risk, especially with these new strains with cannot be contained," Mr Miles said.
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2021-06-29 07:18:59Z
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