A fully vaccinated aviation worker who travelled from Brisbane to Townsville and was in the community for seven days has tested positive for COVID-19 in Queensland’s north.
On Wednesday evening, the man was transported from the city’s Hotel Grand Chancellor to Townsville University Hospital, where he tested positive.
Authorities have linked him to an existing cluster that started at an aviation facility in Brisbane, where it is believed he contracted the virus before flying to Townsville on September 21.
“We think the event where all these people were exposed and got infected happened on the 20th of September. We’ve still got to do a bit more work to clarify that,” Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said.
Acting CHO for Townsville Hospital Dr Niall Small says the man had minor viral symptoms and immediately presented for testing.
“That’s a perfect reminder to do what he did and that’s to go and get tested, don’t just write things off and just as something trivial,” he said.
“The patient is working closely with public health – it’s a long interview process, but encouragingly, he has used the check-in app very reliably, which makes the whole contact tracing and site exposures much much easier.
“So again, it’s a reminder should we need it, that the check-in app is a key part of our COVID response.”
Queensland Health have listed a number of exposure sites in the CBD including Townsville Airport and Hotel Grand Chancellor.
Venues with close contacts are Gecko Interiors, Everything Australians, Skin Ski + Surf, Chemist Warehouse, Tap House Townsville, City Lane Courtyard, C Bar restaurant and McDonald’s CBD.
Testing sites have been expanded with eight lanes available at 1300 Smiles Stadium in the suburb of Kirwan, while the Reid Park Supercars circuit will also open for testing.
Queensland will enter stage two restrictions on Thursday for 14 days in four local government areas in the state’s southeast – Brisbane, Gold Coast, Moreton Bay and Logan – as well as Townsville and Palm Island.
Mask-wearing will be mandatory, the number of people allowed in homes is restricted to 30, while weddings and funerals will be capped at 100.
Cafes, restaurants, cinemas and theatres will return to the one person per four square metres rule and stadium capacity has dropped to 75 per cent.
Dr Young says it’s imperative Queenslanders wear a mask and regularly check the growing list of exposure sites.
“It’s critical that people wear their masks the entire time when they’re in those larger venues, whether they’re cinemas, or theatres or sporting events. Keep your mask on unless you’re seated, and eating or drinking,” she said.
“We know masks work. We know they’re very effective.
“If people have been in any of those LGAs since the 21st, please go online and check for all those exposure venues.
“My other critical issue is, please don’t wait to get vaccinated.
“(The pilot case) just came out of left field. So no one think you have got time to wait.
“Now is the time you must come forward, anyone who’s 12 years of age or older, please don’t wait another day.”
AAP
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