Flight attendant who tested positive to COVID-19 crewed six flights in regional Queensland
A Qantas flight attendant is one of three new COVID-19 cases recorded in Queensland in the past 24 hours.
Acting Premier Steven Miles said the woman in her 30s, from the northern Brisbane suburb of Banyo, works for Qantas’ regional routes and is believed to have been infectious since July 11.
She came forward for testing two days ago and genomic sequencing has confirmed she has the Delta variant that is circulating in Sydney.
During her infectious period, the woman crewed six flights between Brisbane, Longreach, Hervey Bay and Gladstone.
Mr Miles said Queensland’s Regional Development Minister Glenn Butcher was on one of the flights between Brisbane and Gladstone.
He has been tested and was 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,” Mr Miles said.
A number of potential exposure sites have been identified, including:
- July 11 — Brisbane to Longreach, Qantas flight 2534
- July 11 — Longreach to Brisbane, Qantas flight 2535
- July 11 — Brisbane to Gladstone, Qantas flight 2346
- July 11/12 — Stayed overnight in Gladstone at the Mercure Hotel
- July 12 — Gladstone to Brisbane, Qantas flight 2331
- July 12 — Brisbane to Hervey Bay, Qantas flight 2374
- July 12 — Hervey Bay to Brisbane, Qantas flight 2375
Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said contact tracers are working with the woman to pinpoint where she had been after she developed symptoms on July 13.
She asked the public to check Queensland Health exposure venue website later today.
“Initially, she’s told us that she essentially stayed at home, so we are just working that through to check that is the case,” she said.
