Public praised as the COVID test rate jumps, panic buying recedes

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 remain static after more than 34,000 people were tested at the weekend, earning cautious praise from authorities.

Wait times were minimal at the pop-up COVID-19 testing facility at the Toowoomba Showgrounds. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Wait times of up to four hours have been reported at the Baillie Henderson COVID-19 clinic as residents rush to get tested after news of the outbreak in the Greater Brisbane area.

However other sites, such as the Toowoomba Showground pop-up clinic, were moving quickly, with only a handful of cars waiting in line.

Residents of Greater Brisbane and anyone who has recently visited it have been ordered to isolate after reports a cleaner at one of the quarantine hotels had tested positive for the UK strain of COVID-19.

The Darling Down Health social media page warned of long wait times at the Baillie Henderson clinic.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was pleased with the low rate of positive COVID-19 cases. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“We recommend coming to our Toowoomba Showgrounds site,” it said.

“We have two testing lines available, and we’ll be able to get you through a bit quicker.

“The showgrounds site is open until 4.30pm.

“Please be patient while you wait to be tested.

“We’re all working together to keep each other safe.

“It’s a good idea to bring with you a bottle of water, phone charger, medications and your Medicare card.”

Queensland Health is tracking passengers on a Melbourne to Brisbane flight after a woman flew into the state and tested positive to the UK strain of COVID-19.

Word of the Greater Brisbane lockdown sent some shoppers into a frenzy, with panic buying reported at several Toowoomba supermarkets on Friday.

That mania appeared to taper off through the weekend as no new cases were reported.

The Chronicle visited several supermarkets yesterday, and all were well stocked with essentials.

But it appears the Highfields Woolworths was picked clean of toilet paper.

Panic buyers picked the Highfields Woolworths clean on Sunday afternoon.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday praised the efforts of health workers and the wider public as Queensland made it to today without an increase in the number of cases.

The news came as more than 34,000 people were tested for the deadly virus while Great Brisbane was in lockdown.

“That’s wonderful news and please keep up the wonderful effort,” she said.

“So far so good.”

During yesterday’s update, Ms Palaszczuk said 147 close contacts of the cleaner had been identified, with 112 of them testing negative for the virus.

The remaining contacts have been tested but results have not yet come through.

All close contacts were now in quarantine.

In a bid to further reduce the chance of the UK strain arriving in Australian, the government has capped international arrivals at 500 each week, down from 1000.

Ms Palaszczuk said this would further help authorities manage overseas arrivals.