Credit Queensland Health
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Seventy-two hours ago Queensland Health announced a 3-Day Lockdown Over The Detection Of a COVID B.1.1.7 Variant Virus in a quarantine hotel employee. While not the first variant VOC (variant of concern) case reported in Australia, this was the first known case outside of the quarantine system.
There may have been other, more casual contacts during this couple's infectious period who may have been exposed, and so contact tracing continues. This statement from Queensland Health.
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Seventy-two hours ago Queensland Health announced a 3-Day Lockdown Over The Detection Of a COVID B.1.1.7 Variant Virus in a quarantine hotel employee. While not the first variant VOC (variant of concern) case reported in Australia, this was the first known case outside of the quarantine system.
Even though it has not been linked to more severe illness, and there are early signs the current vaccine will be effective against it, we've already seen the damage that a more transmissible COVID virus can do (see London Mayor Declares `Major Incident' As COVID Cases Rise).
Countries like Australia - where community transmission of COVID has been successfully dampened (see epi chart below) - are particularly keen to keep this new, more transmissible variant out of their population.
The purpose of this three-day lockdown was to allow time for contact tracing and testing, in hopes of preventing further spread of this variant. Today, Queensland Health has announced that the hotel worker's partner has now tested positive for COVID, and there is a strong suspicion this person has contracted the B.1.1.7 variant.
Close contacts of this hotel employee have been in quarantine since January 7th, and are undergoing repeated COVID tests, which should have limited their ability to spread the variant further.
There may have been other, more casual contacts during this couple's infectious period who may have been exposed, and so contact tracing continues. This statement from Queensland Health.
Confirmed positive case linked to hotel cleaner
The partner of the quarantine hotel cleaner who tested positive to the UK variant of COVID-19 on 7 January 2021, has also tested positive to COVID-19.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the partner has been in quarantine since 7 January, however additional contact tracing is underway.
“We know this particular variant of COVID-19 is more contagious, so this result is unsurprising,” Dr Young said.
“However, it highlights the importance of why the Greater Brisbane lockdown was so important to ensure any potential spread of the virus is contained.
“This is a really important reminder to follow the advice we’ve been giving – socially distance, wear a mask when required and get tested if you have symptoms.
“The man has been in quarantine since 7 January and has under gone two tests, with one resulting in a positive result today.
“Genome sequencing is underway, however it’s likely to be the UK variant.
“We are determining the man’s potential infectious period and contact tracing is underway
“We usually do not report any new cases until the next reporting period, however I wanted to stress again the importance of anyone, no matter where they are in the state, to come forward for testing if they have any symptoms of COVID-19 whatsoever.”
Dr Young said additional testing of other close contacts of both the man and woman will continue this week.
“We’re asking anyone who has been to specific locations the first positive case has been, to get tested and go into quarantine for 14 days since exposure,” Dr Young said.
“Those are Coles Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown on 5 January 2021, between 0730-0800 or Woolworths Calamvale North on 3 January 2021 between 1100-1200 and Nextra Sunnybank Hills Newsagent Sunnybank Hills on January 5 between 8.00am and 8.15am.
“We are also asking those people to come forward for testing – regardless of whether they have symptoms or not.
“Critically, even if a negative test result is received, please continue to monitor for symptoms and get retested if necessary.”
There is no change to the restrictions due to come into force in Greater Brisbane tonight.
A 24 hour a day fever clinic has been established at Eight Mile Plains Community Health Centre, 51 McKechnie Drive, Eight Mile Plains. Check the Queensland Health website for other locations near you
The 3-day lockdown appears to have ended in Brisbane at 6pm local time tonight, but some extra precautions will be maintained for another 10 days, according to the following statement from local officials.
Greater Brisbane lockdown ends tonight
Published Today at 09:11 AMJOINT STATEMENTPremier and Minister for TradeThe Honourable Annastacia PalaszczukMinister for Health and Ambulance ServicesThe Honourable Yvette D'Ath
Greater Brisbane’s strict lockdown will end at 6pm tonight.But the need for some sensible precautions will remain in the Greater Brisbane hotspot, and for people who have been in the Greater Brisbane hotspot since January 2, for a further 10 days.Until 1am, Friday January 22:
