Coronavirus Qld: Two new cases as state remains on alert

Queensland has recorded two new cases of COVID-19, with one of those confirmed as a second case to be detected among people who arrived in Cairns on a superyacht.

Queensland has recorded two new cases of COVID-19 on Christmas Day, both of which were detected while in hotel quarantine.

It comes following confirmation that two people had brought the virus into the state on Christmas Eve.

One was a woman in her 20s who arrived in Cairns on a superyacht that sailed from the Maldives. She is in isolation. The six crew members have remained on the yacht and are being tested.

One of today’s two new cases has also been linked to the superyacht, Lady E, off Cairns.

Health authorities revealed a second person, who was on the vessel, has tested positive.

“This person, who arrived in Cairns onboard a vessel earlier this week, was tested while in a quarantine hotel and they continue to be in isolation,” Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service wrote on Facebook.

“This case relates to the other confirmed case that was identified from the same vessel, earlier this week.

“Tropical Public Health Services is following up all contacts, including other crew members.”

The case is not linked to the NSW outbreak and was acquired overseas.

“We are well prepared to manage this case and any potential further cases of COVID-19,” the health service wrote.

“The fact that this new case was identified while in a quarantine hotel shows that the system is working.”

The superyacht Lady E at Cairns Marlin Marina. Picture: Stewart McLean

The second case brought into Queensland on Christmas Eve – a man in his 40s who had travelled to the northern beaches before returning – had the potential for more concern after it was linked to the NSW cluster.

“I am concerned we do have the virus now in Queensland,” Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young said on Thursday.

“I have seen the positive sewage results and we have seen people return from the Northern Beaches and Sydney.”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced nine new cases of community transmission in NSW on Thursday, with two still under investigation, bringing the total number of cases to 104. Seven of the nine new cases were linked to the Northern Beaches cluster.

Six cases are still under investigation in NSW, including two people who are employed as patient-transport workers.

Dr Kerry Chant said all people on-board a Qantas flight from Darwin to Sydney on December 17 have been considered close contacts to a passenger with COVID-19 and have been asked to self-isolate.

A Qantas crew member contracted COVID-19 who was on-board the flight subsequently tested positive. She said they are investigating another potential case but the current data is preliminary. Everyone who was on-board will be tested.

She said the passenger on the Darwin-Sydney Qantas flight is a South Australia resident who initially tested negative in NSW.

“We’re just trying to work at the nature of that test result whether it is a false positive or it is an old infection, it is very scant information,” she said.

Victorians have also been advised to not “hug and kiss” anyone from NSW.

Victoria’s COVID testing program commander Jeroen Weimar asked people to show some discretion in their Christmas cuddling.

“If you’ve been to NSW in the last 10 days or you’re spending time with people you know have come back from NSW, I would encourage you – let’s not hug and kiss right this moment in time,” he said.