Queensland Quarantine Hotel Shut as Cluster Grows
The Queensland government is shutting a quarantine hotel after six people staying there contracted the deadly UK strain of COVID-19.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says all six cases in the COVID-19 cluster stayed on the seventh floor of Brisbane’s Grand Chancellor Hotel while in quarantine. They are all in isolation.
All 129 people staying at the hotel are being moved to another hotel and tested before restarting their 14-day quarantine.
“Have a look what’s happening in the UK, what’s happening in Ireland, I mean, this, if it if it gets out of control it can have devastating consequences,” the premier told reporters.
Authorities Remain on Alert in Brisbane for Virus
The man initially tested negative in the morning on Jan. 7 but became unwell in the evening.
Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young is asking anyone who has been to the venues he visited in the two days before Jan. 7 to come forward for testing.
The venues are Bunnings Warehouse Acacia Ridge, between 2 p.m. and 2.15 p.m. on Jan. 5; and Sunnybank Cellars, between 2.05 p.m. and 2.15 p.m. on Jan. 6.
“The risk is low, but the risk is there, so I really ask you to come forward,” she told reporters. Dr Jeannette Young looks on at a press conference in Brisbane, Australia on Jan. 11, 2021. (Jono Searle/Getty Images)
The partner of the quarantine hotel cleaner who tested positive to the UK COVID-19 variant has also tested positive but Brisbane's lockdown won't be extended.
Date Time
Confirmed positive case linked to hotel cleaner
The partner of the quarantine hotel cleaner who tested positive to the UK variant of COVID-19 on 7 January 2021, has also tested positive to COVID-19.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the partner has been in quarantine since 7 January, however additional contact tracing is underway.
“We know this particular variant of COVID-19 is more contagious, so this result is unsurprising,” Dr Young said.
“However, it highlights the importance of why the Greater Brisbane lockdown was so important to ensure any potential spread of the virus is contained.
“This is a really important reminder to follow the advice we’ve been giving – socially distance, wear a mask when required and get tested if you have symptoms.
The partner of the quarantine hotel cleaner who tested positive to the UK COVID-19 variant has also tested positive, but Brisbane's lockdown won't be extended.