Bundaberg, Fraser Coast and Gympie Covid cases continue to grow

An aged care centre and a gym in Bundaberg are the latest venues to reveal exposure to positive Covid tests as more new cases are recorded across the Wide Bay region. Here is the latest:

A Bundaberg gym and an aged care centre are among the latest venues to be affected by positive Covid cases as the region continues to grapple with a growing number of infections.

City Fit Bundaberg, at Woondooma St in Bundaberg Central, revealed on Facebook Tuesday morning a member tested positive to Covid following a test on Christmas Eve.

The member, who had been at another exposure site, had visited the gym three times before they tested positive: at 4.14pm on Monday, December 20, 6.24pm on Tuesday, December 21, and 4.25pm on Wednesday, December 22.

They did not attend any classes.

“We have been in touch with Queensland Health and they have advised that … if you attended on any of those days, and particularly so at any of those times, you should limit your contact with others and get tested, especially if you have symptoms,” the post said.

A fully vaccinated worker from Carinity Kepnock Grove tested positive to Covid before Christmas, and five other workers were put into isolation.

It comes as a fully vaccinated Bundaberg aged care worker tested positive to Covid before Christmas, and a Bundaberg beauty salon claimed it was also an exposure site.

Carinity Kepnock grove revealed the positive case in statement released on Christmas Eve.

Non-essential visits have been stopped and residents’ movements have been limited in the community.

“Residents are being closely monitored for any COVID-19 symptoms,” the centre’s statement said.

“Staff will continue providing care to residents using full personal protective equipment.

“Any staff member that displays symptoms of the virus will cease their shift immediately.

All staff at the centre are double vaccinated; only 12 residents have declined vaccination.

The new exposure sites follow on the heels of a Facebook announcement by the Wax Pot boutique at Wongarra St Monday afternoon asking customers who visited the shop before Christmas to get tested and isolate.

“Anyone who entered our salon from the 19th of December needs to get tested and isolate,” the post said.

The Wax Pot Boutique, Bundaberg. Photo: Google Maps

They said Queensland Health cannot trace customers because of the high volumes of Covid spreading across the region.

The Gympie Times has reached out to Queensland Health for confirmation.

None of these sites have been listed on Queensland Health’s contact tracing web page, which was last updated shortly before 8pm Monday.

Only five exposure sites across the Bundaberg region: Sunshine Nails (for staff and patrons) and Michael Hill (for staff and patrons) both in Hinkler Central on Maryborough St, The Central Hotel on Targo St and The Club Hotel on Bourbong St.

The Wide Bay Health and Hospital Service, which covers Bundaberg and the Fraser Coast, said Tuesday morning it is caring for 151 Covid positive patients.

Two of these are in hospital; the majority of cases are from within the Bundaberg council area.

There were 22 new Covid cases on Monday (December 27), which brought the region’s total case numbers to 182 as spread of the virus continues across the region.

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath addresses the media during the COVID 19 press conference at 1 William Street. Picture: zak Simmonds

The majority of new cases, 15, have been reported in Bundaberg where 135 cases have now been recorded, with the source of infection in the vast majority of cases (111) still under investigation.

Thirty-one cases have been recorded at the Fraser Coast and 16 in the Gympie region.

The increase is part of 1,158 new active cases announced by Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath on Tuesday morning, more than double the number of new cases recorded on Boxing Day.

No contact tracing locations are included on Queensland Health’s list for the Fraser Coast.

The Gympie region recorded three new cases on Monday.

One of the new cases was locally acquired and linked to other cases in the community, while the remaining two new cases are under investigation.

QPS Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski addresses the media during the COVID 19 press conference at 1 William Street. Picture: zak Simmonds

Little Parliament Cafe in Rainbow Beach remains the only contact tracing site for the Gympie region.

Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said on Tuesday morning’s press conference police had conducted 120 business checks on Monday, but no fines had been handed out.

He said there was “good compliance in some areas” of Queensland, but not in others.

As of December 26, 85.9 per cent of Queensland’s population over 16 has received two doses of the Covid vaccine.

Click here to see all the contact tracing locations in Queensland.

Originally published as Bundaberg, Fraser Coast and Gympie Covid cases continue to grow