No new local COVID-19 cases in Queensland as infectious Delta variant is ruled out

Queensland has recorded no new cases of community transmission of COVID-19 as authorities confirm a flight attendant was infected while in hotel quarantine.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (left) and Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young (right) are seen during a press conference in Brisbane.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (left) and Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young (right). Source: AAP

Queensland has recorded no further cases of community transmissions as authorities confirm a flight attendant contracted COVID-19 while in hotel quarantine.

Genomic sequencing results show the woman in her 30s was infected with the less infectious Alpha variant linked to a case who stayed in the same hotel.
The two cases arrived on different flights and were staying on different floors, Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said on Monday.

"She acquired her infection from another cabin crew member who was in quarantine at the Four Points hotel," she said.

"I'm pretty confident that (the source of infection) won't have been through staff, as we know that our staff get tested every single shift."
The flight attendant was a passenger on board an Emirates flight that landed in Brisbane on 5 June.

She undertook hotel quarantine in preparation for starting work with another airline.

Three tests returned negative results during her isolation period, and the process is effective in in picking up "99 per cent of cases", Dr Young said.

However the positive result wasn't determined until Saturday when she took a routine test as part of the standard practice for cabin crew.

She spent time at a direct factory outlet at the airport, in Brisbane's CBD and in the suburb of Ellen Grove between being released from quarantine and confirmation of the case.

Cotton-On at the DFO has been identified as a venue of particular concern.

"It's important that anyone who went to the DFO between 4pm and 4:30pm, on Saturday comes forward...so that we can work with them and what risks they may have," Dr Young said.
The news comes with fresh hope there won't be any further restrictions to Queensland's border ahead of school holidays.

Queensland Police Acting Chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman said he was "very hopeful" the borders will stay open as Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria count down to the break beginning on 26 June.

"The Gold Coast is open for business, the residents and actually the businesses here, the hotels, are very much looking forward to the school holidays," he told Channel Nine on Monday.

Queensland is preparing to ease more internal restrictions on Friday.

Capacity at indoor venues is set to increase and limits on gatherings removed.
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said the changes are possible because of the state's check-in app and confirmed more venues will have to use the system.

"Places like food courts, open houses, hairdressers, casinos, theme parks and caravan parks will be required to use the app," she said on Sunday.

The state recorded five new cases in hotel quarantine, bringing the active total to 32.

Meanwhile, Victoria has recorded one locally-acquired virus case and another eight cases in hotel quarantine.

The local case is a primary close contact that has already been linked to the current outbreak that sparked the latest statewide lockdown.
The Acting Premier James Merlino told reporters he wants to see a sense of urgency regarding the vaccination program emerge from Monday's National Cabinet meeting.

"When you compare how Australia is going with the rest of the world, we are falling so far behind it's not funny," he said.

He said Victorians would face a shortfall in vaccine supplies from the Commonwealth in July and August, before what he described as a "mad rush" towards the end of the year.

"We simply have not received enough supply of the vaccine," he said.

He said while the state is prioritising supplies for second doses so people can be fully vaccinated, Victoria is reliant on supply levels determined by the Commonwealth.

"If sub-national jurisdictions could purchase Pfizer we would do it in a heartbeat," Mr Merlino said.


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4 min read
Published 21 June 2021 10:15am
Updated 21 June 2021 10:20am
Source: AAP, SBS



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