‘Much more concerned’: Two new QLD cases, border bans loom

Two new coronavirus cases have been recorded in quarantined travellers in Queensland overnight as the state’s chief health officer flagged she was ‘much more concerned’ about COVID-19 transmission down south and more border bans were likely.

There have been two new cases of COVID-19 reported in Queensland overnight as Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young admitted she was ‘much more concerned’ about community transmission in southern states.

She said the two new cases were both in hotel quarantine but they were uncovered in people on Day 11 of their stay.

Dr Young said she was ‘very concerned’ about community transmission in southern states and flagged more hotspots may be declared.

“I am much more concerned, I urge everyone to think twice about travel interstate,” she said.

“There are more cases happening throughout New South Wales.”

Bateman’s Bay, the Hunter region and Port Stephens are areas of concern in NSW and risk being declared ‘hotspot’ regions where those who have travelled in the areas are banned from entering Queensland.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young says she is very concerned about coronavirus transmission down south. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

Travellers from the NSW cities of Campbelltown, Liverpool and Fairfield, as well as anyone from Victoria, are already banned from entering Queensland.

She added Queensland’s contact tracing on new cases continued to be rapid.

“My aim is to find the first case in a cluster, not the 65th case,” she said.

The new figures brings Queensland’s overall total caseload to 1076 - with the majority now recovered.

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The new cases follow a warning by the State Government for Queenslanders to rethink travel plans to NSW, with Health Minister Steven Miles saying authorities were continuing to closely monitor the situation in Victoria and NSW.

Dr Young has warned that further NSW hot spots may be declared at short notice if community transmission continued to increase in NSW.

“I urge travellers to consider the risks of travelling to NSW at this time as outbreaks can rapidly spread and get out of control, as we’ve seen in NSW, Victoria and other countries,” Dr Young said.

“We’re giving people as much time as possible to come home to the safety of Queensland but that notice may not always be possible.

Dr Young asked that anyone who visits a venue must sit down.

Patrons cannot stand up lingering, however people can still order a drink from the bar.

Dr Young urged everyone to wash their hands regularly and to maintain 1.5m.

Originally published as ‘Much more concerned’: Two new QLD cases, border bans loom