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A Qantas flight attendant who lives in Brisbane has tested positive to COVID-19 after working on several regional flights between 11-12 July, with authorities urging passengers on all flights concerned - to and from Longreach, Gladstone and Harvey Bay - to come forward for testing.
Positive sewage testing in Byron Bay has also raised alarm bells for Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles, who recommends only essential interstate travel and has claimed "what is at stake is the border zone itself".
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young confirms the Banyo woman in her 30s who works as a flight attendant has tested positive to the Delta strain of the virus, but genome sequencing shows this is unrelated to other outbreaks currently reported in the state.
"She came forward and got tested on the 21st of July. Her symptoms started on the 13th of July, so we're deeming her infectious period back to the 11th of July," Dr Young says.
"She crewed six flights on the 11th and 12th of July, and it is critical that anyone who was on any of those flights immediately comes forward and gets tested."
The new community case was on the following flights:
- QF2534 Brisbane-Longreach on 11 July
- QF2535 Longreach-Brisbane on 11 July
- QF2346 Brisbane-Gladstone on 11 July (stayed overnight at the Mercure Hotel, Gladstone)
- QF2331 Gladstone-Brisbane on 12 July
- QF2374 Brisbane-Harvey Bay on 12 July
- QF2375 Harvey Bay-Brisbane on 12 July
"We're just working with her to look at where she was and what she did from the 13th of July when she became unwell," Dr Young explains.
"Initially she's told us that she's essentially stayed at home, so we're just working that through to check that is the case and whether there any exposure venues.
"So I would advise anyone in Brisbane to check our website this afternoon. We'll put up exposure venues and we'll put out a press release for where she might have been in Brisbane."
Deputy Premier Miles adds Queensland Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing, Glenn Butcher, was on the specified flight from Brisbane to Gladstone, has been tested and is in home quarantine.
"Given this is some time ago, if we can get all of the passengers tested that will give a picture of whether there is a greater risk here than we're currently aware of," Miles added.
Updated at 9:50am AEST on 23 July 2021.
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