Queensland COVID update: Omicron variant spreads in sunshine state as contact tracing exposure sites clarified

Queensland recorded six new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, with the Omicron variant likely spreading into the state from New South Wales.

One of the new cases frequented The Argyle House nightclub in Newcastle, north of Sydney, on December 8 before traveling to Queensland.

At least 200 cases, most of which are expected to be of the Omicron variant, have tested positive for COVID after frequenting this venue.

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Another case who traveled to Brisbane and then Townsville had spent time at a separate exposure site in Newcastle.

“We are waiting for the return of genomic sequencing, we certainly treat them as if they were Omicron,” Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said on Wednesday.

The six cases acquired their infections interstate and were community contagious in the Goondiwindi, Wide Bay, Townsville, Gold Coast and South Brisbane areas.

Ms D’Ath added that the Omicron strain could become the “dominant strain” in Queensland.

“It’s clear now that Omicron is highly contagious and most of us now believe that the rate at which we will peak is probably faster than expected,” Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said.

“It’s more in weeks than months, from what we’re seeing in NSW and the UK.

“It’s a lot faster and a lot more infectious than what we’ve seen before with Delta.

“We will see that in the days and weeks to come and I think we can reasonably expect Omicron to spread to Queensland in the coming weeks. It won’t be a surprise. We are not going to change our plans because of this.

Confusion of close contacts

Following some confusion, Ms D’Ath also clarified that only passengers who were identified as close contacts on two flights to Queensland on Tuesday will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

This includes people who sat near a passenger who later tested positive for COVID.

The remaining passengers will be considered casual contacts who will need to get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is returned.

Authorities initially sent out an alert for all passengers on the flight to self-isolate for 14 days.

Flights include VA1105 from Newcastle to Brisbane and VA375 from Brisbane to Townsville on Monday.