Covid Qld: Nine new cases detected – six in the community – as Broadbeach State School closed

New Covid-19 exposure sites have been listed after nine Covid-19 cases were recorded in Queensland overnight - six in the community - with the Health Minister saying it was a stark warning to local residents ahead of Monday’s border reopening.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath has confirmed nine new Covid-19 cases, plus another under investigation, have been detected, warning there will be more exposure sites, after an entire Gold Coast school was closed.

The sudden surge in cases comes just three days before the state’s border reopens, with a major influx of visitors from NSW expected to cross into Queensland, putting the Gold Coast in the firing line for more new cases.

Six people on the Gold Coast have tested positive and been infectious in the community for a number of days.

The list of exposure sites has been updated on Friday afternoon, with places icluding a Mermaid Waters gym, Broadbeach Primary School Christmas carols, a Jewish festival, grocery store and coffee shop.

Of the other three cases, one was acquired overseas, while two were contracted interstate – all three were in quarantine.

“These six people make up four different incursions,” Ms D'Ath said.

“There is another one under investigation which could see five incursions.

“This is what we’ve been planning for.”

One case is a male, aged in his 20s, who has had one dose of the vaccine and recently moved to the state from NSW. He was infectious in the community for five days.

A female close contact of the man has also tested positive.

A second case is a man who recently visited Byron Bay. He is part of a band of which some of those members have recently travelled back to WA.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Another case is a woman who works on the border zone. Her partner and child have also tested positive. The child is a student at Broadbeach State School.

It has been confirmed the woman’s husband was infectious when he attended the Broadbeach vaccination centre to get his second dose.

Acting chief health officer Peter Aitken said the border worker had had a rapid antigen test which had come back negative.

She then received a PCR test that was positive.

She had been infectious in the community for eight days, while the father had been infectious for six.

The child had been for a number of days.

“We’re quarantining the class and the close friends of that child,” Ms D’Ath said.

Broadbeach State School has been closed due to the case, with an automated message sent by the school asking all children and family to isolate.

The second child from the family has tested negative.

Dr Aitken said this was a timely warning that more cases would pop up when the border reopened on Monday.

He said restrictions on the Gold Coast weren’t likely despite the new cases, again insisting this is what authorities had been planning for.

Ms D’Ath said there would be exposure sites across the Gold Coast including Mermaid Beach, Mermaid Waters, Broadbeach and Mudgeeraba. Miami, Tugan, Ashmore, Elanora and Currumbin Waters were all added to the list about 11.30am.

“We can assume there is likely to be transmission happening across the Gold Coast,” the Minister said.

Fuel Bakehouse on Currumbin Creek Rd at Currumbin took to Facebook and Instagram late on Thursday afternoon and said workers were taking “all actions required” by authorities.

Queensland Health and Gold Coast Health were contacted for comment.

Fuel Bakehouse at Currumbin Waters on the Gold Coast. Picture: Google

The bakery stated: “CLOSED FRIDAY … Currumbin we regret to inform that we have had a positive Covid case come through our doors yesterday (Wednesday) morning.

“We have been informed a customer was in store between 7:05am and 7:25am on Wednesday.”

Later, the post was updated to include information about a second case.

“We have been informed we had another positive case from customer on Tuesday 7th between 12:10pm and 12:15pm, our customer sat outside, and no other customers were present at the time,” the post read.

The bakery said it would likely reopen on Friday “as we are testing all our staff as directed”.

“We have only been informed our staff require testing at this point, we have had no advice regarding our customers over the period of the day,” the post read.

“Thanks for all the love and support. We aim to be back open Saturday providing we have negative results from all staff.”

Gold Coasters have been urged to wear masks when they cannot socially distance and to ensure they check in.

“This is important because we don’t know the level of transmission here right now,” Ms D’Ath said.

Cars lining up for testing on the #GoldCoast after a local school was sent into lockdown - eight cases are tipped to be announced shortly. @GCBulletinhttps://t.co/0RGnraBqogpic.twitter.com/b3Pm82j6X7

— Brianna Morris-Grant (@JournoBrenn) December 10, 2021

She said health authorities have seen “a lot of complacency creep in” in recent months.

“You want to know if you’ve been exposed to someone who has this virus, because that way you can keep yourself safe and loved ones.”

“Especially vulnerable and elderly family members who you are going to be catching up with over Christmas.”

Broadbeach State School. Photo: Google

Ms D’Ath said there were now 44 active cases in Queensland.

More than 11,000 tests were administered by Queensland Health on Thursday.

The Minister said it was never too late to get the jab.

“The number of cases in Queensland is going to go up, not down,” she said.

“Get vaccinated today, start that journey now.”

The Minister said a number of the new cases had symptoms but weren’t unwell.

It’s too early to know what variant the new cases have.

Ms D’Ath said at this stage there were no changes to the roadmap, insisting this is what authorities had been planning for.

Meanwhile she said there was enough supply in Queensland for children to get their vaccination when the time comes.

But she said it was important for those children to get the jab from their GPs or pharmacy.

Gold Coast police acting chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman with the new XV border pass.

The Gold Coast’s top cop, acting chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman, said with local vaccination rates 4 per cent below the state average, thousands of Gold Coasters remained unvaccinated as the Glitter Strip braces for a surge in Covid cases when the border reopened at 1am on Monday.

He said it was ‘absolutely vital’ people got vaccinated now before the border reopens.

Supt Wildman said all the major Coast checkpoints would continue to operate but police would be taking a ‘risk-based’ approach, only stopping every vehicle during off-peak periods.

But he warned: “There will be delays.”