Yvette D’Ath announces new Covid case for Wide Bay

For the second day in a row, new Covid cases have been detected in the Wide Bay region. Here’s what we know.

For the second day in a row a new Covid case has been announced in the Wide Bay.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday morning, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath confirmed there were 22 new covid cases around Queensland, including in the Wide Bay.

Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service confirmed on Thursday afternoon the new case was a close contact of the case confirmed on Wednesday.

“This person is a known contact of yesterday’s case, and travelled from Brisbane to Hervey Bay in the same vehicle,” a statement on the WBHHS Facebook page said.

“Based on investigations to date, there is believed to be no significant public health risk at this time and no listed exposure sites in Wide Bay related to this case.

“These two patients have been or are in the process of being transferred to a dedicated Covid-19 hospital for isolation purposes.

“We appreciate this is a changing situation and people have lots of questions. But please also appreciate that we have a responsibility to respect and protect patient confidentiality.”

Wide Bay residents were put on alert on Wednesday, after it was announced an infectious Covid case had been out in the community.

WBHHS later confirmed in a statement the positive case was linked to the cluster in New South Wales and had travelled from Brisbane to the Fraser Coast via vehicle.

“Comprehensive contact tracing has been completed and there is believed to be no significant public health risk as a result and at this stage, there are no listed exposure sites in Wide Bay related to this case,” the WBHHS statement said.

It is understood the man, believed to be a young soldier, travelled to Brisbane from Newcastle and was part of the region’s nightclub cluster.

He began self-isolating at a private property upon arrival.

A Maryborough factory employee was also self-isolating and underwent a Covid test after being exposed to the virus on a flight. That test proved negative.

The Downer train factory employee was on board a flight on Monday that has since been listed as an exposure site by the Queensland Government, a statement from the company said.

Ms D’Ath said the cases had been active in a number of places around Queensland, including the Fraser Coast, and were infectious for up to six days.

Queensland Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said it was expected more cases would arise after the opening of the border.

Dr Gerrard said the first Wide Bay case was infectious in the community from December 13-15.

The case was one of the first new cases in the Wide Bay in months.

In November, a Bundaberg supermarket was listed as an exposure site after a positive case visited the Fresh Fields Foodworks at Thabeban.

More information as it comes to hand.