New COVID-19 case in Far North could solve sewage mystery

A new case of COVID-19 was recorded in the Far North today, however, it is believed to be a historical case, and it could explain the continued positive sewerage tests in North Cairns.

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young this morning announced that three new cases had been added to Queensland’s tally in the past 24 hours; two in hotel quarantine which were acquired overseas, and one in Cairns.

Dr Young said the case in Cairns was a man in his 40s who after returning to Australia from the Congo in September went through hotel quarantine, testing negative at the time.

However, after having to be tested as a work requirement recently, the man returned a positive result.

“He had to have a test done prior to returning to work, so an employment requirement, and he’s tested positive,” Dr Young said.

“He’s totally well, asymptomatic, so I think that is most likely persistent shedding.

"We know you can shed for up to nine months when you're positive,” she said.

Multiple tests of the sewage in Cairns North over the past few months have returned fragments of COVID-19 and Dr Young said this could be the mysterious source.

"It probably explains why we've continued to have all of those positive sewage results in north Cairns."

“He lives in North Cairns.

“So now, of course, we are going to do some additional testing, just to confirm all that, but I’m very confident that will be a historical case and not infectious at the moment.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she had “no concerns” about today’s three recorded cases.

Meanwhile, all 129 people who were transferred from the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Brisbane have tested negative, after the hotel was evacuated as authorities investigate the spread of the UK strain of COVID-19 at the hotel.

Ms Palaszczuk said that of the 147 people who had left the hotel since December 30, those who were in Queensland have tested negative.

"Of the 226 staff, all have been contacted and some have been tested, so we're still working through that," she said.