Genomic testing has confirmed that Queensland's latest locally acquired COVID-19 case is linked to the previous cluster announced on March 12.
A man in his 20s is in Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital after testing positive late Thursday night, prompting an investigation into the source of infection. He is now confirmed as having the B117 variant.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said it is likely that there was one unidentified intermediary who had passed the virus onto today's positive case.
"We will know more in the next 24 hours, but in the meantime, those identified as visiting the locations in today's Public Health Alert should immediately get tested and isolate until you receive your results. Additionally, anyone identified as a close contact will be contacted by the Public Health Unit and required to quarantine.
"The detail from the genomic testing is getting faster and better – we know that the gentleman who tested positive on late Thursday night was highly contagious.
"We therefore cannot afford to be complacent – if you have any COVID symptoms at all, please come forward and get tested."
Genome sequencing determines the genetic makeup of the virus, helping to indicate the source of infection, map the spread of COVID-19 and detect any viral mutations and emerging strains.
Queensland Health has also updated its contact tracing advice for Westfield Carindale Shopping Centre, Carindale and Mamma's Italian Restaurant at Redcliffe:
- Anyone who was in any part of Westfield Carindale Shopping Centre between 12pm and 2.16pm on Saturday, 20 March 2021 should immediately get tested and isolate until they receive their result.
- Anyone who visited Mamma's Italian Restaurant at Redcliffe on 21 March between 12.40pm to 3.10pm will be required to quarantine for 14 days. Public health units will directly contact those people who dined at the restaurant during that time.
For the latest updates regarding contact tracing, visit the Queensland Government website.
It is important that everyone, but especially people who were at these venues around these times, monitors themselves for even the slightest symptoms.
Queensland Health has also today confirmed fragments of SARS-CoV-2 have been detected at the Rockhampton North and Luggage Point wastewater treatment plants. To find out which suburbs are included this catchment, visit the Queensland Government's Wastewater areas page.
To manage the expected increase in demand over the weekend, Queensland Health has stood up additional testing facilities, including the Pine Rivers Assessment Clinic, the Eight Mile Plains Community Health Centre and Wynnum-Manly Community Health Centre, Gundu. To find your nearest testing clinic, visit Testing and fever clinics — coronavirus (COVID-19).
It is important to:
- Stay home if you are sick
- If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, get tested
- Stay 1.5 metres away from other people—think two big steps
- Wash your hands with soap and water, or hand sanitiser
- Leave the location if it is crowded.
