Covid visitor scare for Rookwood contractor and Mount Morgan school comes to an end

More than 300 close contacts of a Covid-positive woman who visited Rookwood Weir have been released from quarantine.

More than 300 close contacts of a Covid-positive worker who flew into Rockhampton have been released from quarantine.

Central Queensland avoided suffering an outbreak or lockdowns after the woman was unknowingly infectious in the Rockhampton community from July 28 to 30.

But CQ Health have confirmed that all close contacts have been released from quarantine without any more positive cases.

This comes after a scare from fellow Rookwood Weir site workers and Mount Morgan school students who had visited as part of an excursion.

CQ Health director of public health Dr Gulam Kahndaker is very happy that Central Queensland has dodged potential outbreaks over the past 18 months.

“We are very wary about premature celebration, and we’re all highly conscious that a positive COVID-19 case could crop up at any time, so it’s essential that everybody follow the health advice and continues to stay home when they’re sick and get tested,” Dr Khandaker said.

“While it appears we’ve dodged another COVID-19 bullet with no local community transmission again, there’s more than luck involved; with a great team, and a great community all keen to do the right thing to get a great result.

“I am very grateful to the Rookwood Weir work site team members and their management after a visit by a positive COVID-19 case for the tremendous job they’ve done in complying with our health advice and co-operating throughout this experience.

“I also can’t thank enough all of the close contacts (more than 300) of that positive case who have played their part in keeping our community safe by quarantining for the past two weeks.

“I am delighted that every one of those close contacts have returned multiple negative tests and are therefore able to go about their normal daily lives again.”

Dr Khandaker also thanked the CQ Health fever clinic team which dealt with huge spikes in demand.

He also thanked pathology services which ran around the clock to get fast results for local tests, and the contact tracing officers who also provided care and support to people in local quarantine.

“We do have the benefit of learning from cases in southern locations with bigger populations and more travellers returning with COVID-19,” he said.

“We watch very closely other centres to see what works and what could be improved. This means we are able to act quickly and decisively when it’s needed.

“So far, so good. But please don’t get complacent. We need everyone to keep watching the announcements from the chief health officer, Premier and Health Minister, and to follow all health advice so that we can maintain our great result.”

CQ Health Chief Executive Steve Williamson also paid tribute to Dr Khandaker and the Public Health Unit for their efforts in helping keep Central Queensland Covid-free.

“I am so proud to watch Gulam and his team spring into action at any time of the day or night when a positive COVID-19 case has been identified as visiting our region,” he said.

“They seem tireless as they devote their energy and expertise to just get on with the job of keeping us safe. We truly are in very good hands and we’re so very grateful.”

Central Queensland residents can now register for their vaccines in new hubs located in Rockhampton and Gladstone.