Covid Qld: Why we’re not plunging into lockdown despite mystery case

Despite previously stating that just one unlinked case of Covid-19 could plunge the state into lockdown, the Chief Health Officer says today’s mystery case does not require the strict measure. Here’s why. IS THIS THE RIGHT CALL? TAKE OUR POLL

The Chief Health Officer has defended her decision not to call a lockdown despite an unlinked, locally acquired case of Covid-19 emerging.

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The mystery case is a masseuse aged in her 50s from Fitzgibbon, who has been infectious in the community since September 23.

Despite previously stating that just one unlinked case of the virus could plunge the state into lockdown, Dr Jeannette Young said she was comforted by the fact that the woman was fully vaccinated and all members of her household had so far tested negative.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young watches Deputy Premier Steven Miles during a press conference to provide a covid update. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“Well, the only thing that’s reassuring me is the amount of testing we’ve done,” she said.

“So this has happened at the same time that we’ve had those restrictions in place, and that enhanced testing.

“I’d like to see more testing just to make sure we haven’t missed anything but she’s been out and about, and we haven’t seen any cases.”

There are three people who live in the same house as the woman and all have tested negative.

The woman had been working in multiple shops across Brisbane while infectious and not every client had checked in at the businesses, Dr Young said.

“I am very, very comfortable with the large amount of testing that we haven’t seen in any cases,” she said.

“This has happened at a time of increased testing. So if we hadn’t ever had all of that increased testing, I’d be more cautious but at this point in time, I think with that increased testing the fact that she’s double vaccinated, the fact that her household members are all negative is reassuring.”

Dr Young said she wanted testing numbers to increase so she could be sure there was no community transmission going on as a result of the latest case.