Queensland records new Omicron Covid-19 case, new contact tracing sites in Coomera and Nerang

Two new exposure sites have been listed on the Gold Coast, after Qld’s acting CHO issued a stark warning about lockdowns and “interruptions” to peoples’ lives, after the border opens.

Two new exposure sites have been listed on the Gold Coast, after Queensland’s CHO issued a stark warning about lockdowns, and Omicron’s effect on lives after the border opens.

Dr Peter Aitken said on Tuesday morning that “there will be interruptions to peoples’ lives” as the variant gains a foothold in the state. He warned “there will be lockdowns” – despite the growing vaccination rate in Queensland.

Chief Health Officer Dr Peter Aitken addresses the media at a press conference at Parliament House. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Dr Aitken said it appeared Omicron was “more infectious and transmissible”, but hopefully results in “a less severe illness”.

This comes as new exposure sites at and Bunnings in Nerang on Thursday, December 2, 11.45am-12.07pm , and Target in Coomera on Friday, December 3, 8am-8.50am were listed.

However health authorities have stood firm that there will be no more border closures, with Queensland’s reopening to southern states slated for December 13.

See everything you need to know about moving between states here.

The acting chief health officer urged eligible Queensland residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible, which will hamper the progress of the virus’ spread.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the world-first new Omicron case – “Omicron-like” – was detected in a man who flew into Queensland from Nigeria before testing positive in the past 24 hours.

The second involves a person who tested positive after arriving from South Africa. It means Queensland has recorded two separate lineages of the variant.

Ms D’Ath said two new coronavirus cases had been detected in hotel quarantine – the Nigerian arrival and an interstate traveller.

The Omicron patients are in Brisbane and Cairns.

Ms D’Ath said genome sequencing had confirmed the variant in the Nigerian traveller, who flew into Cairns on Friday, December 3.

Covid-19 testing at Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dan Peled

“So that now means everyone on that flight has been deemed to be a close contact, not just those who were immediately seated around this individual,” she said.

Ms D’Ath said because it was a flight from a hot spot, the majority of people who were on board should already be quarantining in some form.

As of Tuesday morning 87.53 per cent of eligible residents had received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and 79.11 per cent had received two doses.

Seniors are leading the charge, while residents aged 20-39 were lagging behind.

Ms D’Ath said there was 40 active coronavirus cases in the state and 12,258 vaccine doses had been administered by Queensland Health in the previous 24 hours.

Additionally, Dr Aitken said he was aware that not all testing facilities were seeing infants under 12 months and “some testing sites preferred to work with adults only.”

He said infants under one would be saliva swabbed as opposed to the more invasive throat and nose swab, which is carried out after 12 months of age.

It is unclear if there are any sites across the Gold Coast where infants under 12 months are being refused testing.

New local Covid-19 case linked to Coast cluster

December 7: Queensland has recorded one new Covid-19 case – a person believed to have travelled to the Gold Coast from New South Wales.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said on Tuesday morning that the infected person could have sparked the recently revealed Coast cluster at an aged care facility.

The list of coronavirus exposure sites on the Coast could grow, she warned.

“I can advise that in relation to the Gold Coast cluster, one of those individuals we advised worked at a private aged care facility,” Ms D’Ath said.

“The good news is 89 tests have come back and they have all been negative.

The new Covid-19 case has been linked to a Gold Coast cluster. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dan Peled

“(It’s) wonderful news for the residents and staff at that aged care facility.

“Some people may have noticed, and I should say there is likely to be more exposure sites on the Gold Coast going up as we interview this gentleman.”

It comes as 87.3 per cent of eligible Queensland residents have had one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and 78.6 per cent of people have had two doses.

Ms D’Ath emphasised high-risk businesses like bars, restaurants, pubs and entertainment facilities must have staff fully vaccinated by December 17.

Queensland is due to reopen to fully vaccinated travellers on Monday next week – four days ahead of schedule, due to the state’s growing second-dose vaccination rate.

Follow @LukeWMortimer