Roma records first ever Covid cases only days out from Christmas

A couple, who are both related and double vaccinated, are under quarantine at their Roma residence as health services deal with a spike of cases across Queensland. LATEST LOCAL UPDATE

Roma has recorded its first ever Covid cases as health services across the state brace for a spike in infections only days out from Christmas.

The couple, who are related and both double-vaccinated, had travelled elsewhere in Queensland before returning to their home in Roma.

SWHHS chief executive Dr Anthony Brown could not confirm where the couple had been travelling, but said there were no active exposure sites in the south west region

“The couple have had limited contact while in the south west and there is minimal risk to the broader community as there are no exposure sites in the south west,” he said.

“Close contacts in other areas of Queensland have been identified – none in the south west – and all are in quarantine as per Queensland Health directions.”

The current outbreak of cases less than a week after the state opened its borders to interstate travellers has sent shockwaves through the Maranoa community, with widespread speculation online that there were more Covid-positive residents in the region.

The Roma Veterinary Clinic took to social media on Wednesday to confirm rumours one of their employees had been infected with Covid.

“Unfortunately, one of our staff members has tested positive to Covid. They contracted the virus and were tested positive while they were on holidays in north Queensland,” the post said.

“They have not entered or worked in the clinic since their return.”

A spokesman for the Queensland Health could not confirm whether the worker was the one of the previously identified cases, but said health services had not identified any additional Covid cases at that time.

Queensland recorded 369 new Covid cases on Thursday, as the chief health officer warned people only had “two choices” as Omicron spreads rapidly across the state.

Premier of Queensland Annastacia Palaszczuk gives a Covid 19 update. Picture, John Gass

Thursday’s cases nearly doubles the 186 announced on Wednesday and takes the state‘s total active cases to 807.

The cases are located in the Banana Shire, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cairns, Central Queensland, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Logan, Maranoa, Mareeba, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Townsville and the Whitsundays.

There are 123 confirmed cases of Omicron.

Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard said the spread of Omicron was not only inevitable, it was necessary.

He pleaded with Queenslanders to not be anxious about the expected surge in cases.

“It is important at times like this as the numbers increase that we reflect on what we are trying to do and where we are going,” Dr Gerrard told reporters.

“Not only is the spread of this virus inevitable, it is necessary.

“In order for us to go from the pandemic phase to the endemic phase, the virus has to be widespread.

“You will all have to develop immunity and there’s two ways we can do that — by being vaccinated or by being infected.

“There are only two choices.”

Updates to follow.

Originally published as Roma records first ever Covid cases only days out from Christmas