Coronavirus QLD: Latest case numbers following easing of restrictions

Queensland’s premier says a nurse who went to work after she had been tested for coronavirus should have known better, adding “it is not acceptable for anyone who is sick, particularly with this pandemic we’re dealing with, to go to work”. The state recorded no new cases overnight.

QUEENSLAND’S premier says a nurse who went to work after she had been tested for coronavirus should have known better.

The North Rockhampton Nursing Centre remains in lockdown after the woman returned a positive test on Thursday.

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Thirty-five residents were temporarily relocated to nearby hospitals on Saturday, to enable all occupants to isolate.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the health advice from the chief health officer had been abundantly clear.

“It is not acceptable for anyone who is sick, particularly with this pandemic we’re dealing with, to go to work,” she said.

“Honestly, a nurse should know better.” A total of 235 staff and residents at the central Queensland aged care facility have now been tested and found negative for COVID-19.

It comes as Queensland recorded no new cases of COVID-19 overnight, with just 12 active cases now in the state.

Ms Palaszczuk thanked people for doing the right thing following further relaxations yesterday.

Once again, well done Queensland,” she said.

“Queensland has done a mighty job.”

Police issued just 10 fines to people who were blatantly ignoring rules, although the circumstances of each fine hasn’t been released.

There were no fines handed out on the Gold Coast despite crowds in dining precincts and at beaches and parks.

“We’re generally pleased with how people have reacted to the easing of restrictions this weekend,” Gold Coast police Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler said.

“We’ve seen plenty of people out and about, with most observing social distancing and group limit requirements.

“When people haven’t got it right, our interactions have been positive and we’ve been able to speak with them to gain compliance with health directives.”

Chief Supt Wheeler said police had acted to disperse large crowds watching surfers at Rainbow Bay, while people drinking alcohol on Burleigh Hill had been warned and ordered to tip out drinks.

But he said no fines were issued, with police taking a ‘compassionate’ stance.

“I acknowledge the professionalism and compassion of our frontline officers who have been working with the community 24/7 to keep them safe,” he said.

Meanwhile, there have still been no positive tests linked to the Rockhampton nurse.

Ms Palaszczuk said 138 tests had come back negative, with results from 37 tests still yet to come back.

The good news comes as cafes, public parks and playgrounds buzzed with activity after restrictions were eased across the state.

Restaurants and cafes can now have up to 10 people dining in, while groups of 10 can gather outside for recreation as the state emerges from isolation.

Clayton Sefo (left), Mark Nicolaidis (2nd from left), Indi Hawkins (2nd from right) and Lewis Begg (right) are seen passing a football as they have a picnic with friends at the Kangaroo Point Cliffs in Brisbane on Saturday. (AAP Image/Darren England)

“It is great to see some familiar faces returning,” Coffee Club manager Kaili Yang said as she took orders from a pair of jovial regular customers at their favourite table.

The Brisbane cafe in the leafy inner-city suburb of Ascot was among the many that opened their doors to customers on Saturday.

The eased restrictions also saw exercise classes returning to the city’s New Farm Park, where fitness trainer Chris Tuck coached his first group in 10 weeks. “It’s awesome to be back together again feeding off each other’s energy,” he said of the six people he had just finished training.

Many families were also out and about as children revelled in reopened playgrounds that had been closed to control the spread of the virus.

“She is loving it,” mother-of-two Jo Williams said as she pushed her four-year- old daughter Hannah on a swing in the same park.

“Both the kids have missed the outdoor activity and interacting with children.” A maximum of 10 people can now also attend a wedding, while up to 20 are permitted at indoor funerals, and 30 at those held outside.

Road trips are also back on the agenda with residents allowed to travel up to 150km from home, increasing to 500km for those in the outback.

Meanwhile, 193 people have been tested for COVID-19 in central Queensland after a nurse working at an aged care facility was diagnosed with the disease on Friday.

All tested negative, including 114 residents at the North Rockhampton Nursing Centre where the nurse worked.

Health minister Steven Miles said low-risk residents would be moved from the home so that residents from the wing where the infected nurse was working could be spread out to further reduce the risk of infection.

“We are taking the risks here very very seriously,” he said.

It comes as Queensland recorded just one new case overnight after a passenger from the Coral Princess cruise ship tested positive. It brings the total number of cases to 1055.

Just 13 remain active, five of which are in hospital with three in intensive care. Six Queenslanders have died from coronavirus.

Mr Miles said the continued low number of new cases – which were mostly people returning from overseas – suggested the first round of easing on social distancing measures two weeks ago had not led to increased transmission of the virus.

“That gives us great confidence going into today,” he said.

Chief health officer Jeannette Young said the Rockhampton infection highlighted why the community needed to stay vigilant.

She said the eased social distancing restrictions could allow the virus to spread more easily in the community.

“Which is why we – all 5.1 million Queenslanders – must every morning when they get up think, have they got any symptoms,” she said.

“If you do, stay home and go and get tested.”