Queensland Health says that 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,’ said Dr Young.
‘However, it highlights 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.
New case is likely to be UK variant
‘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 that come into force in Greater Brisbane from 6pm yesterday, Monday January 11.
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.
Recent stories, information and updates regarding COVID-19
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Life shows life expectancy in Australia has decreased slightly for the second year in a row. An international team of researchers has found more evidence that COVID-19 came from animals in a Wuhan food market. The lab-leak theory that Covid-19 came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology – instead of a nearby wet market – was thrashed about in public recently, with the US Senate Homeland Security Committee holding a hearing into Covid-19. Eighteen schools in the Northern Rivers division of Richmond have received $25,000 each as part of the federal government’s School Upgrade Fund, Labor Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said last week. COVID-19 reversed earlier trends toward longer life expectancies. During the pandemic, life expectancies globally dropped by 1.6 years according to a new study published in the Lancet medical journal. Let’s not forget that Covid-19 is still a big issue in our community with 31,935 cases reported across Australia in the last week – an average of 4,562 cases per day. The Global Carbon Budget is about to be refreshed, giving the world a critical insight into how efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are (or are not) progressing. Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport from tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September. SW Police are urging festival-goers at this weekend’s music festival to celebrate in a safe and responsible manner, whilst also being aware of COVID-Safety measures. The Northern NSW Local Health District reports that to 4pm yesterday, Sunday May 22, there were 40 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with one of these in ICU.
COVID-19 reduces Australian life expectancy
Wuhan market increasingly likely origin point for COVID-19
Editorial – There’s a bat in my lab!
Fresh air federal funds for Northern Rivers schools in need
COVID-19 pandemic has cut life expectancy globally
COVID-19 update for New South Wales
Five graphs you need to see before the Global Carbon Budget...
Public transport mask mandate to end
NSW Police: be COVID-vigilant at Splendour in the Grass
COVID-19 update for the NNSWLHD – May 23
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
