Ipswich Covid-19 cases quadruple to 456 in less than a week

Queensland’s top doctor has urged people to continue using the Check in Qld app as Ipswich’s Covid-19 case numbers increase by 114 in 24 hours, to a total of 456. SEE THE UPDATED EXPOSURE SITES LIST

Ipswich has recorded a total number of 456 Covid-19 cases on Thursday, up from 342 on Wednesday, the number nearly quadrupling in less than a week.

The origin of a vast majority of those cases — 359 — remain under investigation.

According to Queensland Health, 32 of Ipswich’s cases were acquired overseas, 50 were acquired locally from a known contact, 13 were acquired locally from an unknown contact, and two were acquired interstate.

Meanwhile, the number of Lockyer Valley Covid-19 cases has risen to 27 — including two acquired overseas, eight acquired locally from a known contact, and one acquired locally from an unknown contact.

The origin of more than half of the region’s confirmed cases, 16, remain a mystery.

These new figures come as the state records 2222 new Covid-19 cases across 30 local government areas overnight, and chief health officer Dr John Gerrard warns “tens of thousands of cases” will surface in the coming weeks.

Queensland has now had 10,752 Covid-19 cases since the pandemic started.

Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard addresses the media during the Covid-19 press conference on December 30. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Dr Gerrard urged Queenslanders to continue logging their movements in the Check in Qld app, despite recent changes to contact tracing, and said people who have visited exposure sites are still being contacted by Queensland Health.

However, he said this may change in the coming days.

“All of these issues containing to contact tracing are currently under review,” he said on Thursday.

“Whether there are changes to the way we use it will come out in the next few days.”

In the meantime, members of the Ipswich and Lockyer Valley community are continuing to share locations they understand Covid-positive people have frequented.

Since December 29, the below exposure locations and dates have been shared to online platforms:

GOODNA FUNCTION CENTRE - December 27

A post shared to Facebook group Brisbane Bingo Advertisements confirmed a patron who attended Monday night bingo at the Goodna Function Centre on December 27 had tested positive for Covid-19.

The person who shared the post said immediate contact was made with Goodna RSL once the positive test result became known, and the venue was shut down.

COMMBANK GATTON - December 23

A post shared to Facebook stated a Covid-positive person was at Commonwealth Bank, Gatton on December 23 from 9.30am to 12pm.

People who attended the location at that time were advised to get tested and self-isolate until returning a negative test result.

PREVIOUS EXPOSURE SITES

KITCHENTOPIA – December 23 and 24

Kitchenware and eco lifestyle product shop Kitchentopia shared a post to Facebook on the evening of December 28 which stated one of its owners had tested positive for Covid-19.

Co-owner Sammi stated it was possible he had been infectious since December 23.

“Nathan attended our stall at Springfield Markets on Thursday (December 23) and worked in our shop on Friday (December 24),” Sammi wrote.

“Neither our shop nor our stall has been classed as a close contact site at this stage but we would prefer to let everyone know, and if you are having any symptoms please go and get a test.”

Sammi said Nathan had been in isolation since his symptoms started.

The shop at 81 Brisbane St, Ipswich will be closed until further notice.

GOODSTART – December 22 and 23

According to a Facebook post, Goodstart Early Learning Bellbird Park was advised on Tuesday December 28 to close temporarily due to a team member testing positive for the virus.

It is understood the Covid-positive worker attended the centre on December 22 and 23.

ORION LAGOON – December 22

Ipswich City Council has confirmed that one of its workers at Orion Lagoon at Springfield had tested positive for Covid-19.

A council spokesman said an employee of the contractor who operates the water park on behalf of ICC received the positive test result for Covid-19 after 11am on Tuesday December 28.

However, he said the worker first noticed symptoms of feeling unwell on December 22, voluntarily went for a Covid-19 test, and began isolating.

“Test results were not received until (Tuesday), but the individual has not been in the community during this time,” the spokesman said.

“Since receiving this positive notification, the pool operator in conjunction with (the) council and Queensland Health has identified any close contacts of the worker and they are now all in isolation as well, pending the results of their own Covid-19 tests.”

Orion Lagoon will remain closed until both the site and staff have been cleared to reopen.

CHEMPRO KARALEE – December 21

Karalee Chempro Chemist shared a post to its Facebook page on December 23, stating staff had been notified of a positive Covid-19 case on December 21.

The chemist stated any person who visited the store on December 21 was considered a low risk casual contact, meaning they must immediately get tested and quarantine until they receive a negative test result.

By Tuesday December 28, most of the staff had reportedly received their second PCR and all were negative.

“The remaining staff members are still waiting their second PCR test result for them to be able to return back to work but everyone received negative result on their first PCR test,” a Karalee Chempro Chemist Facebook post read.

BIG W ORION – December 20 and 21

According to a post on Facebook, an employee at Big W, located within Orion Springfield Central, tested positive for Covid-19.

It is understood the worker was at the site from 1pm to 10pm on December 20 and from 1pm to 3.50pm on December 21.

Karalee Chempro Chemist reportedly had a Covid-positive person come through its doors on December 21.

GUARDIAN SPRINGFIELD – December 20 and 21

A Facebook post shared a screenshot of an email sent from Guardian Childcare & Education to families, stating a team member who attended the centre recently had tested positive for Covid-19.

Guardian stated the team member was asymptomatic while at the centre, but was there before 7.30am and in nursery room number two between 6.30am and 3pm on December 20.

It is understood the worker was also at the centre after 5.30pm and in nursery room two between 10am and 6.30pm on December 21.

GE BUILDING SPRINGFIELD

Probe Group workers at Springfield’s GE building have claimed they were directed to get tested for Covid-19 and isolate on Christmas Eve after a Covid-positive person visited the business hub.

According to a post on social media, people working on level five of the building were deemed close contacts.

The date or dates of exposure are unclear and have not been confirmed by either Queensland Health or workers at Springfield’s GE building.

IPSWICH COURTHOUSE – December 14

Queensland Health has identified Ipswich Courthouse’s main entrance and Justice of the Peace area as exposure sites.

The exposure date and time listed on the government website is December 14, between 11.40am and 11.55am.

Queensland Health stated those in the location at the relevant time are considered casual contacts.

REDBANK PLAINS FAMILY HEALTH CENTRE – December 14

According to Queensland Health, Redbank Plains Family Health Centre on Redbank Plains Rd, Ipswich is an exposure site.

People who visited the centre between 10.40am and 11.40am on December 14 are considered casual contacts and are advised to get tested.

As at December 30, a total of 125,234 Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the West Moreton region — including 892 on December 29 alone.

Of Queensland’s 10,752 total cases and 8586 active cases, West Moreton has recorded 574 total cases and 105 active cases. Eighty-five people have recovered.

More than 9200 quarantine notices have been issued to people in the West Moreton region and 109 people are currently quarantining.

For a list of recent Ipswich Covid-19 exposure sites up until December 29, click here.