Sunshine Coast Covid: Queensland records one new local case, woman infectious in Maroochydore

A fully vaccinated woman who tested positive to Covid-19 visited several popular locations on the Coast while infectious, including Sunshine Plaza and The Wharf. SEE THE LIST

An urgent plea has been sent to Sunshine Coast residents to get tested for Covid-19 after a woman in her 20s visited several locations in the region while infectious.

Acting Premier Steven Miles said Queensland had recorded three new cases of Covid overnight, including one that was locally acquired.

The other two were acquired overseas and detected in hotel quarantine.

Chief health officer Jeannette Young said the new local case was a woman in her 20s who lives in Mareeba and studies in Melbourne.

The woman had been at the Young and Jacksons pub in Melbourne on July 10 but was tested for Covid and received a negative result.

She then travelled from Melbourne to Maroochydore on July 13.

Tuesday 20 July – coronavirus cases in Queensland:

One new locally acquired case, detected in quarantine.

Two new overseas acquired cases, detected in hotel quarantine.#covid19pic.twitter.com/PQYuWjJn3I

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) July 19, 2021

Dr Young said the woman received an SMS from health authorities on July 15 saying the Melbourne pub she visited was declared a Tier 1 Covid site.

She was then “immediately” tested again and received a second negative result.

While staying with friends in Maroochydore, the woman then visited two popular locations on the Sunshine Coast on July 15, including the Sunshine Plaza and The Wharf in Mooloolaba.

She specifically visited the Universal Store at the Plaza between 3.55pm and 4.15pm and Rice Boi at The Wharf from 6.45pm to 8pm.

Dr Young said she was particularly concerned about the potential exposure at Rice Boi.

“It is really critical that anyone who attended the Rice Boi restaurant … to immediately come forward and get tested and isolate until contacted by public health,” she said.

On Friday, July 16, she took an Uber at 12.50pm to Maroochydore station and then caught the 615 bus to Landsborough station.

She then went by train to Eagle Junction station, caught the Airtrain to Brisbane Airport and then caught Virgin flight VA791 from Brisbane to Cairns.

Chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young.

She arrived in Cairns and has been isolating since then.

Dr Young said the woman started developing symptoms of Covid-19 on July 17.

She went to the Atherton fever clinic and was tested on July 18 and returned a positive Covid test late on Monday, July 19.

Dr Young said she suspected the new locally acquired case would have the Delta variant, which was circulating in Victoria.

She said the woman was fully vaccinated which reduced the risk but didn’t remove it.

“It’s really important, particularly those people who were at the Rice Boi, and I understand it’s a very popular restaurant at The Wharf at Mooloolaba, anyone there really must come forward and get tested,” she said.

Dr Young said the case was not linked to any of the other active clusters in Queensland.

Hi Team, there has been a Covid positive case detected at Rice Boi last Thursday the 15th of July. We have closed the...

Posted by Riceboi on Monday, July 19, 2021

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the woman had worn a mask when she was travelling.

“We hope this has significantly reduced the risk but we can’t be complacent,” she said.

LIST OF EXPOSURE SITES:

Thursday, July 15

3.55pm to 4.15pm – Sunshine Coast Plaza, including Universal store

6.45pm to 8pm – Rice Boi, 123 The Wharf, Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba

Friday, July 16

1.11pm – 615 bus from Maroochydore Station to Landsborough Station

2.06pm – Train from Landsborough Station to Eagle Junction Station

3.29pm – Airtrain from Eagle Junction Station to Brisbane Domestic Airport

3.45pm – Brisbane Domestic Airport

4.50pm – Flight VA791 from Brisbane to Cairns

Sunday, July 18

10.30pm – Atherton fever clinic, Atherton

A full list of exposure sites will be available later on Tuesday.