Two new local Covid-19 cases in Qld ‘under investigation’ after truck drivers enter from NSW

Queensland authorities are urgently investigating after two new cases were confirmed in truck drivers who had come from NSW.

Queensland has recorded two new locally acquired cases of Covid-19 in truck drivers who travelled into the state from NSW.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said they were not considered a “high risk” and had not visited too many places.

Exposure sites in St George and the Balonne region will be listed, where the drivers stopped for fuel, food and accommodation.

“We aren’t overly concerned about these two,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Chief health officer Jeannette Young said Queensland Health had been notified about the cases late on Monday by NSW.

Two truck drivers who had crossed into Queensland from NSW have tested positive for Covid-19 Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“These two drivers were tested as part of the surveillance program that we have in place in Australia now, where truck drivers need to be tested every seven days,” Dr Young said.

“These drivers were superb, doing their routine testing and extra testing and maintained social distancing at all times and stayed at home when they weren’t driving the trucks.

“The risk is very low.

“ … I think it’s under control.”

Truck drivers need to follow strict testing protocols in order to cross state borders. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Dr Young said subsequent tests for both drivers carried out in Queensland had come back negative.

“I thank these critical drivers out around Australia, moving our necessities through the country, doing it absolutely brilliantly,” she said.

One of the drivers lives in the Somerset region and the other on the Sunshine Coast.

“I’m not concerned about the risks in those communities because these two truck drivers did everything they should do but it is a point that we could have a case turn up anywhere,” Dr Young said.

“Please, get vaccinated.”

There are just 758 people left in home quarantine after the Indooroopilly cluster.

The state recorded four other cases on Tuesday – all overseas acquired, one detected in hotel quarantine and three detected on a marine vessel.