Health Minister details where the flight attendant travelled through Central Queensland while infectious

Politician confirmed as fellow passenger on flight with COVID-19 positive flight attendant as Covid tracers scramble to discover other potential exposure sites.

The Brisbane woman crewed six flights between Brisbane and Longreach, Hervey Bay and Gladstone. Picture: James Gourley

Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher has been forced into immediate isolation after coming into close contact with a COVID-19 positive flight attendant.

Health authorities are continuing to discover potential exposure sites around the Central Highlands and Central Queensland regions, as they trace the flight attendant’s movements.

Announcing the positive case Friday morning, Acting Premier Steven Miles said the Brisbane woman was infectious from July 11 and crewed six flights between Brisbane and Longreach, Hervey Bay and Gladstone.

The chief health officer Jeannette Young says the woman has the delta variant and they’re uncertain how she contracted it.

Central Queensland News reported this morning she travelled between Longreach and Brisbane mid-July.

Now it is known she also flew between Brisbane and Gladstone - a flight Mr Butcher was on.

He said the details of the exposed flight details were:

Sunday July 11th: BNE – GLT QF2346 (Departing BNE 1900), and Monday July 12th: GLT – BNE QF2331 (Departing GLT 0645).

He also said the flight attendant stayed overnight at the Mantra on Yaralla hotel (formerly the Gladstone Mercure) on the Sunday night.

“I was on QF 2331 on Monday 12 July from Gladstone to Brisbane,” Mr Butcher said.

“I have been advised by Queensland Health that I am a close contact of the case announced this morning having shared that flight.

“As per Queensland Health guidelines I wore a mask in the airport and for the entirety of the flight.

“I am following all Queensland Health guidelines. I have undergone a COVID test and will home quarantine as directed by health officials.

“I encourage anyone who has any symptoms to get tested and stay home until advised.

“The flight attendant also stayed overnight at the Mantra at Yaralla on Sunday the 11th (getting in late at night, and leaving very early).”

Yaralla Sports Club has issued a statement about the potential exposure.

“Yaralla Sports Club can confirm we were notified by Queensland Health late yesterday that we had a guest stay at the Mantra Hotel and Apartments on the 11th July that had later tested positive to COVID-19,” the Club said.

“We can also advise that the guest did not use the Club facilities and all close contacts will be directly contacted by Queensland Health.

“We are pleased to advise our members that we are open and working closely with Queensland Health and actively following all guidelines and instructions provided. We respectfully request any further questions be directed to Queensland Health.”

Mr Butcher said it was important to stay up to date with Queensland Health tracing alerts.

“We’ve been through this before, and as a community, I was so proud of how our people (residents, health workers, and support services) responded,” he said.

“It’s important to check the QLD Health contact tracing website for the most accurate information on contact tracing sites; it will be updated as information is confirmed and verified.”

Gladstone region Mayor Matt Burnett said Queensland Health was contacting other passengers on the flights.

“Our Local Disaster Management Team is working closely with Central Queensland Health to set up a drive through testing clinic in Gladstone,” he said.

“We are working through the logistics on a few sites including Meteors Sports Club, CQU City Campus (Old Tafe) and the Gladstone Showgrounds.”