Queensland Health confirm new infection in Cairns

Health authorities have confirmed Queensland’s outbreak escalated after a new infection was unearthed in the far north.

Queensland’s Covid-19 outbreak has extended to the state’s far north after a new infection was reported in Cairns.

Queensland Health alerted residents on Tuesday afternoon it was investigating the possibility of a new case 1700km from the epicentre of the state’s outbreak in Brisbane, which was confirmed hours later.

The new infection was not included in the 16 local cases reported on Tuesday, meaning the state’s outbreak will record another day of at least one new community case on Wednesday.

Health authorities were scrambling to complete contact tracing on Tuesday night after an alert was issued for Cairns and beaches to the north of the far north city at Trinity Beach and Yorkeys Knob.

“Tests are currently being performed to determine whether there is any infection risk to the community,” Queensland Health said.

“Testing capacity is being increased in the Cairns and Hinterland Health Service region.”

It was not yet known if the case was linked to the Delta cluster plaguing the state’s southeast but the development was a concern amid the escalating outbreak.

The virus may have breached the state’s far north. Picture: NCA Newswire / Dan Peled

A number of Brisbane school students were infected while the rapidly expanding exposure venues left health capabilities delicately poised, with the top doctor confirming 400 healthcare workers were forced into isolation.

“We know this is a significant number of healthcare workers in quarantine, and unfortunately it means we have to delay non-urgent surgery and outpatient services as a result,” chief health officer Jeannette Young said.

“All of our cardiac surgeons for the Queensland Children’s Hospital are in quarantine, so the impact is real and we’re making decisions on a case-by-case basis to ensure the most urgent cases can still receive care.

“Please know that no Queenslander will be denied urgent care because the healthcare workers they need are in quarantine – we will work through it with people to ensure they receive the appropriate support during this time.”

The lockdown of the 11 Local Government Areas in southeast Queensland was extended through to Sunday to allow authorities to manage the growing cluster.

The number of close contact exposure venues exploded again on Tuesday to nearly 140 venues but this was expected to soar again after the confirmation the virus had breached the far north.

Full list of the venues can be found here.