This blog has now ended. Read on for today's Covid-19 updates.
Live breaking news: Covid case's worrying three-state journey
Three states are on edge this afternoon after it was confirmed a woman who later tested positive to Covid-19 travelled from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast.
Three states of Australia are on edge this afternoon after it was confirmed a woman who later tested positive to Covid-19 travelled more than 1000 kilometres from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast.
The 44-year-old and her husband arrived in Queensland on June 5, after an epic journey from the locked-down Victorian capital last week.
The woman had been showing symptoms since last Thursday, June 3 – meaning she may have been infectious while travelling through western NSW, Queensland's chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young said.
Follow our live blog for more Covid-19 updates.
Updates
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NSW releases list of exposure sites
NSW Health has issued a list of exposure sites visited by the positive Queensland case.
Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed must immediately get tested and isolate until they receive further information from NSW Health:
- Caltex Narrendera, 1 Newell Highway, Gillenbah on Tuesday, June 1 between 10:30am and 11am
- Vandenberg Hotel, 7 Court Street, Forbes on Tuesday, June 1 between 6pm and 10pm
- Brew Coffee Bar, 1/99 Lachlan Street, Forbes on Wednesday, June 2 between 7am and 10am
- CSC – Church Street Cafe, 15 Church Street, Dubbo on Wednesday, June 2 between 11:30am and 2:30pm
- Reading Cinemas Dubbo, 49 Macquarie Street, Dubbo on Wednesday, June 2 between 6pm and 10pm
- Homestead Motel, 101 Cobra Street, Dubbo from Wednesday, June 2 at 12pm until Thursday, June 3 at 10am
- Gwydir Carpark/Motel & Thermal Pools, 4 Amaroo Drive, Moree from Thursday, June 3 at 1:45pm, all day Friday, June 4 until Saturday, June 5 at 7:30am
- Cafe Omega, 145 Balo Street, Moree on Thursday, June 3 between 1:30pm and 4:30pm; Friday, June 4 between 7am and 9:30am or between 11:50am and 2pm
- Amaroo Tavern, Amaroo Drive, Moree on Friday, June 4 between 4:30pm and 11pm
Woman showing symptoms since June 3
The woman had been showed symptoms since last Thursday, June 3, but only arrived in Queensland on June 5 – meaning she may have been infectious while travelling through western NSW, Dr Young said.
Asked if there are concerns about tonight's State of Origin game in Townsville – and the droves of people that will have travelled there – Dr Young said there was no need to be yet.
"This is one case that has been infectious in the community in the Sunshine Coast," she said.
"We need to see how that happened but the best way to work out what the risk is for people to come forward and get tested."
She added it's too soon yet to consider the possibility of a lockdown.
"It is very early to even think about that but the best way to stop any need for a lockdown is that people get tested, come forward and we find cases," Dr Young said.
'This is the time to go forward and get vaccinated'
Dr Young has urged anyone who is eligible and lives on the Sunshine Coast to come forward and get vaccinated against Covid-19 in the coming days.
"Anyone who lives in the Sunshine Coast, this is the time to go forward and get vaccinated because the Commonwealth has been very helpful and given us double the doses of vaccine for that part of Queensland," she told reporters.
"GPs will have additional doses of vaccine so anyone who is 50 years of age or older should go to their GP or one of the Commonwealth vaccine clines and get vaccinated.
"But it is very important. Anyone under 50 should come forward to a Queensland Health vaccine site."
McDonald's flagged as exposure site
Queensland's chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young is running through the list of preliminary exposure sites visited by the infected woman so far.
Anyone who has been to the following venues at the listed times is urged to get tested immediately, whether they have symptoms or not:
- McDonald's, Goondiwindi and BP Complex, Cunningham Highway, Goondiwindi on Saturday, June 5 between 7:35am and 7:50am
- Caltex Super Petrol Station, corner of Ruthven and James Streets, Toowoomba on Saturday, June 5 between 11am and 11:15am
- Sunny's, Moffat Beach on Sunday, June 6 between 2:35pm and 3pm
- Coffee Cat, Kings Beach on Sunday, June 6 between 3:30pm and 4:30pm
- The Coffee Club and Kmart (women's section) at the Stockland Shopping Centre, Caloundra on Monday, June 7 between 10:45am and 11:30am
- Bunnings, Caloundra, on Monday, June 7 between 12:10pm and 12:45pm
- Female toilet near JB Hi-Fi, Kawana Shopping World on Monday, June 7 between 1pn and 1:10pm
- Foodcourt, Kawana Shopping World on Monday, June 7 between 1:30pm and 2pm
- Female toilet near IGA Baringa on Tuesday, June 8 between 4:05pm and 4:15pm
44-year-old woman in Caloundra tests positive
Ms D'Ath has also confirmed reports that Queensland has a new case of Covid-19.
The infection is in a 44-year-old woman in Caloundra – on the state's Sunshine Coast – who travelled from Victoria, through NSW, into Queensland, arriving on June 5.
She is residing in Caloundra with family members and her husband and was tested yesterday.
The Health Minister urged Queenslanders not to worry.
"We have been here before, we know what to do. If you have been to any of the exposure sites, whether you have symptoms or not, we would like you to come forward and get tested," she said.
"For anyone else, our message is clear and simple: if you have any symptoms whatsoever, please come and get tested. And, anyone who has a Covid test must remain at home until they get that result."
Queensland eases restrictions to Victoria
The Queensland border will, from 1am on Friday, no longer be closed to the whole of Victoria, Health Minister Yvette D'Ath has announced.
The Sunshine State will only classify greater Melbourne as a hotspot – meaning that anyone coming from there will still be required to quarantine for two weeks before entering the state.
Queensland health authorities investigating potential case
Queensland health authorities are investigating a potential case of Covid-19, who has allegedly travelled from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast, 9 News reports.
According to the network, the case is a woman who left Victoria with her partner during lockdown and travelled through NSW to Queensland last week.
Authorities have ordered both the man and woman to undergo a second test this afternoon.
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath and chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young will provide an update at 3:30pm.
We'll bring you the key details from that here.
One new case in SA hotel
South Australia has reported one new case of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, in a returned traveller in medi-hotel quarantine.
The case is a man in his 40s who acquired his infection overseas and has been in quarantine since his arrival.
South Australian COVID-19 update 9/6/21. For more information, go to https://t.co/e4B14m8DML or contact the South Australian COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787. pic.twitter.com/4gOAlKiO9s
— SA Health (@SAHealth) June 9, 2021
It brings the state's total number of active cases to 4 (all overseas acquired) and overall tally to 769.
A historical case reported yesterday has since provided evidence of a previous diagnosis overseas and has been removed from SA's numbers, the health department said in its update.
Cash prizes for Aussies who get the jab
Australia has moved a step closer to Covid-19 passports for adults who are fully vaccinated with the Morrison Government preparing to roll out a formal Medicare certificate that could also be used by companies to offer incentives including cash prizes and store vouchers.
The big move could be used to roll out greater freedoms for the fully vaccinated to travel interstate or even avoid lockdowns in some states subject to agreement at the national cabinet.
It could open the door to pubs, clubs, gyms and employers demanding proof of vaccination before allowing patrons onsite. But the opposition is calling for more information on how the certificates will be used.
Government Services Minister Linda Reynolds confirmed the move today insisting the new certificate is a “simple and easy” way for people to show their Covid-19 vaccination status.
“The Covid-19 digital certificate makes proof of vaccination accessible anytime, anywhere,” she said.
“Once your provider has reported both doses of an approved vaccine, you’ll be able to access your Covid-19 digital certificate online through myGov or in the Express Plus Medicare app.
“I’m encouraging all Australians to ensure you’ve linked your Medicare account to myGov. Linking Medicare to myGov is simple, and more than 10 million Australians have already completed this process.”
While not compulsory, the certificate could still be requested in the future by pubs and clubs and other entertainment venues that plan to require proof of vaccination. It also follows the Prime Minister’s call to allow vaccinated Australians greater freedom to travel interstate and avoid lockdowns.
– Samantha Maiden
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