First Australian case of more infectious COVID-19 strain found in Queensland

“This will be the first positive case of the South African variant in Australia. We have seen other jurisdictions record a UK variant.

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“The positive news, the good news about this individual, is that they were in hotel quarantine at the time they were tested and they have since been transferred to a hospital.”

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said the strain was “thought to be more contagious” and had been picked up during genome sequencing of the virus carried by the woman.

Dr Young said she had “no concerns” after authorities doubled-back to check their interactions and transfers of the woman for any gaps.

“But it does reinforce the need that anyone coming from overseas does need to quarantine for 14 days,” she said.

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