Covid positive pilot flew into Moranbah

The double-vaccinated pilot later tested positive after flying into the mining town. Now he and the crew are in quarantine, and passengers urged to monitor symptoms.

Moranbah Airport has been listed as a “low risk” contact site after a fully vaccinated pilot who flew into the mining town tested positive for Covid-19.

Health authorities on Saturday said there was a “small chance” a pilot linked to the state’s aviation cluster may have been infectious when he twice touched down in Moranbah.

The charter flight pilot flew between Brisbane and the Central Queensland town late last month, with Moranbah Airport now listed as low risk casual contact sites.

The flights in question are HeviLift flights HT727 and HT728 with 95 crew and passengers across both flights.

The pilot was operating a charter flight and stayed at Buffel Park village on September 23.

He tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday, September 28.

Moranbah Airport

Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said during the flight the pilot, who is double vaxxed, had no contact with passengers.

Cr Baker said passengers on the flight were considered casual contacts and should monitor for symptoms, while the pilot and crew were all in quarantine awaiting further testing – contact tracing was under way.

It is understood the pilot was not initially deemed to be infectious when he flew in and out of Moranbah on September 23.

However Queensland Health has since revised this confirming “there is a small chance the pilot announced on September 29 was infectious on two flights between Brisbane and Moranbah”.

“The risk is very low. Out of an abundance of caution, all passengers and aircrew will be tested and will need to quarantine until they receive a negative result,” a Queensland Health spokeswoman said.

Cr Baker said this was a “sharp reminder” for the community.

“While we have been Covid free … our region is not immune to the virus coming in,” Cr Baker said.

“I encourage all community member if they present with any symptoms to get tested … and if you are currently not vaccinated now is the time to make it your business to get vaccinated.”

The pilot had no contact with passengers, is double vaccinated, and the pilot and crew were all in quarantine awaiting further testing.

Passengers on the flight were considered casual contacts and are urged to monitor their symptoms.

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Local government area jab data places the Isaac region as one of the lowest in the state for vaccination rates sitting third from the bottom with just 35.2 and 26 per cent of those ages above and below 15 years old respectively to receive at least one dose.

“Our percentages are low. They have been low,” Cr Baker said.

“As of yesterday Mackay Isaac Whitsunday are 11 per cent behind the Queensland overall data and that simply is not good enough.”

Cr Baker said it had been “problematic” because the region did not initially have “the quantity of vaccinations”, but she added that had increased in the past two weeks.

It is understood BHP may also organise testing in relation to the flight.

“While the risk to the Moranbah community is very low, as always, please come forward for testing if you have any Covid-19 symptoms at all, even mild,” the QH spokeswoman said.

This comes as the state records four new Covid cases including two locally acquired cases that are linked to the aviation cluster and were household contacts.

All six people in the aviation cluster were fully vaccinated.

BMA put out staff communication about the incident, which was then shared on social media.

BMA was contacted for comment.

“The health and safety of our workforce is our number one priority,” a BMA spokesman said.

“We will continue to work closely with Queensland Health and follow their advice and implement the necessary controls to protect our people and the communities in which we operate.”

Queensland Health has urged anyone not vaccinated to “get the jab”.

“We’ve seen that Covid-19 cases can pop up in the most unexpected places, so it’s vital all eligible Queenslanders get vaccinated as soon as possible,” the QH spokeswoman said.

It is understood Moranbah’s vaccination clinic has delivered more than 2000 jabs to date.