Fears the Delta variant is rampant in the community
South-east Queensland residents in lockdown have been ordered to stay at home until Sunday after 13 new COVID-19 cases were recorded yesterday.
The 11 Local Government Areas entered a three-day lockdown on Saturday after a high school student in Brisbane tested positive to the highly infectious Delta variant.
But after 21,806 tests were carried out yesterday, the latest cluster has grown to 31. Most of those who have tested positive are students at the Ironside state school or household contacts of infectious cases.
Giving an update this morning, Queensland’s Deputy Premier Steven Miles confirmed the lockdown would be extended until the weekend in a bid to get the spread under control and prevent a Sydney-style outbreak.
"It's starting to become clear that the initial lockdown will be insufficient for the outbreak," he said.
"So we're advising south-east Queenslanders in the 11 LGAs that the lockdown will be extended until 4:00pm on Sunday. That will make it an 8-day lockdown."
Residents in central Queensland are being urged to come forward for testing after an infectious woman flew to Rockhampton for work. Chief Health Officer Jeanette Young also issued a plea for Queenslanders across the state to get vaccinated.
More to follow.
