Ipswich locals flock to Covid testing centres after 15 new virus cases in Queensland

Locals lining up for Covid tests have reported waiting in massive queues following the latest outbreak of the Delta Covid strain in the southeast.

There were long waits and headaches for Ipswich residents waiting in line for a Covid test on Monday, with reports of some impatient people jumping the queue.

The 4Cyte Pathology drive-through testing centre on Burley Griffin Drive was among the busiest in the city yesterday, with vehicles lines up around Griffith Rd.

Those waiting in line for hours described seeing traffic cutting into the queue by looping around through side streets and pushing in.

School teacher Keryn Stewart was among hundreds of locals awaiting a Covid test after midday on Wednesday.

SEE THE FULL LIST OF IPSWICH TESTING SITES HERE

Ms Stewart told the Queensland Times she had already been waiting in line for two hours.

She said it wasn’t so much a test on her patience as it was a reminder to be compassionate.

“People say I’m a very patient person,” she said.

“I see (the situation) as more of a test of our humanity than of our patience.”

Of 15 new Covid cases announced on Monday morning, 13 are a result of community transfer and linked to a cluster in Brisbane’s western suburbs.

The spike of new cases has prompted an extension to the snap lockdown across 11 local government areas.

The lockdown will continue until at least Sunday, with authorities still unclear on how far the virus has spread from Brisbane.

The Ipswich City Council has announced its facilities will remain closed during the lockdown.

All council libraries, the Ipswich Art Gallery, Ipswich Civic Centre and public pools are expected to reopen on Monday.

Read more news by Ebony Graveur here.