Whitsunday islands Covid patients in isolation as close contacts fly to Brisbane

Three charter flights are bound for Brisbane with close contacts of confirmed positive Covid-19 patients from Whitsunday islands on board.

Close contacts of three positive Covid-19 cases on Whitsunday island charter boats are being flown to Brisbane on charter flights as the Mackay region records 185 active cases.

Passengers on a charter boat that arrived at Whitsunday islands this week have since tested positive, with three charter flights planned to fly them to Brisbane.

Mackay Hospital and Health Service acting chief executive Terry Johnson said the close contacts were “visitors to the region” and unable to quarantine in the Whitsundays.

“There are no positive cases being transferred,” she said.

“Those who are residents of southeast Queensland will go into home quarantine and interstate visitors will go into hotel quarantine in Brisbane.”

A Hamilton Island staff member who recently returned from an interstate holiday had tested positive this week, triggering 12 staff to isolate on the island as a precautionary measure.

Those staff members were not exhibiting symptoms and rapid antigen tests returned negative results.

One other staff member, considered a close contact of the positive worker, was “showing symptoms” and was also in isolation on the island.

A spokesman said the symptoms were mild and were being managed by Queensland Health.

Hamilton Island CEO Glenn Bourke said the health and safety of guests, visitor, residents and the wider community remained a priority.

“We will continue to follow the directions and advice of Queensland Health and Queensland police in preventing the spread of Covid-19, in particular, where positive cases are suspected or confirmed on the island,” he said.

Guests and day trippers are encouraged to follow Queensland Health guidelines including wearing masks and checking in to venues while on the island.

Isolation and quarantine requirements are the same for islands as the mainland, with people able to stay in their accommodation for an extended period directed to do so.

“Positive cases remain in their accommodation or are housed in alternative accommodation organised by the Mackay HHS or are admitted to hospital or to the virtual ward for clinical care if needed,” Ms Johnson said.

Hamilton Island’s resort bookings have surged over the summer with accommodation booked out until early May.

Its website warns of staff shortages as a result of “current Queensland Health Covid protocols” with longer wait times for phone calls and returned emails.

Whitsunday businesses are also suffering as a result of the rising cases.

The Whitsunday Sailing Club has shut its doors ahead of New Year’s Eve after a staff member tested positive.

A club spokeswoman said many venues across the region were suffering from staff shortages because of exposure sites and vaccination mandates.

Whitsunday Sailing Club, Airlie Beach, will close for New Year’s Eve after a staff member tested positive.

“Like many venues in town, we are experiencing extremely high staff shortages,” she said.

“It’s not a chronic problem at the club, but it’s a little bit difficult with the Queensland mandates coming in and needing everyone double vaccinated, which is what everyone is experiencing.

“Queensland Health has advised that all close contacts must be tested and quarantine until further notice, this has forced us to close 20 Degrees South Bar and Restaurant until January 2, 2022, due to the lack of staff.”

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story stated the three Covid-positive cases were on Hamilton Island. That was incorrect. The positive cases had been on a charter boat touring the Whitsunday islands. Two staff from two charter boats were positive, and one tourist aboard the boat.

Originally published as Whitsunday islands Covid patients in isolation as close contacts fly to Brisbane