Coronavirus: ‘Low risk’ of further Noosa party cases

There was a ‘very low risk’ of further virus issues from a Noosa birthday party linked to a major outbreak, the town’s mayor says.

Warwick butcher Peter Wright.

Health authorities have finished contact-tracing the people who attend­ed a Noosa birthday party linked to one of Queensland’s bigges­t coronavirus outbreaks, accordin­g to the town’s mayor.

Tony Wellington said Queensland Health had advised the risk of the virus spreading further in the community as a result of the 50th birthday celebration at renowned beachfront restaurant Sails was now “very low”.

Up to 30 guests and staff have contracted the virus after attending the party of property industry figure Glen Wright on March 14.

About 90 guests travelled from throughout Queensland then returned home, potentially spreading the virus before they became aware they were infected­.

The Australian detailed on Thursday how a positive test of guest Peter Wright from Warwick, 300km southwest of Noosa, led to the temporary closure of his butcher­’s shop and a bank branch he visited.

“The guests dispersed to many different locations including Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Toowoomba and elsewhere,” Mr Wellington said on Thursday.

His comments came as Queensland Health issued­ a public health alert for three venues at Noosaville and Sunshine Beach after a patron who attended them from March 13-15 contracted the virus. The ­patron was not connected to the Sails birthday party.

For each confirmed corona­virus case, Queensland Health tries to trace where they caught the illness and who they have been in contact with. The party outbreak is believed to have originated from a guest who had only just come back from Aspen in the US.

The day after the party, Scott Morrison ordered anyone returning from overseas to go into self-quarantine for 14 days.

Four staff members from Sails have contracted the virus. They had gone on to work at the restaurant on March 18 and 19 without knowing they had it.

“They (Queensland Health) have been at pains to contact any patrons that attended the restaurant on those evenings,” Mr Wellington said.

“My understanding is the four staff are now carrying out the appropriat­e self-isolation under Queensland Health watch.”

Queensland Health had not respon­ded by deadline.