Cairns records no new cases of COVID-19 following record test numbers

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Far North Queensland has recorded no new cases of COVID-19. 

It comes after a record number of tests across the Cairns region following a local man's positive result with the Delta variant on Tuesday. 

More than 500 of his close contacts have tested negative and are in home isolation.

Queensland has recorded 27 new cases in the past 24 hours, 16 of which were locally acquired. 

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All 16 cases are directly linked to the Indooroopilly State High School outbreak in the state's south-east. 

11 additional overseas-acquired cases were recorded, all detected in a LNG carrier anchored off Gladstone. 

As the crew are reported to be 'mostly' vaccinated and showing minimal symptoms, the positive cases will be cared for on board. 

Of the 16 locally-acquired cases, only three were infectious in the community for one day, and one was infectious in the community for two days. 

Twelve were in quarantine for their entire infectious period. 

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said today's news is "very encouraging."

"In the last 24 hours, Queenslanders outdid themselves again when it comes to getting tested for COVID-19.

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"What we have to do from here is keep it up. 

"That level of testing, that 50,000 tests a day, gives the Chief Health Officer a chance to be confident that there isn't transmission other than what we've been able to identify."

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service has also reported a record number of COVID-19 tests, with the numbers expected to be released later today. 

Find your closest COVID-19 testing and fever clinic here. 

While there have been no additional exposure sites listed in the region since Wednesday, Cairns residents are still encouraged to check the list regularly. 

Listed sites may also shift between the 'close contact', 'casual contact' and 'low risk contact' categories following further investigations. 

The Qantas flight QF708 from Brisbane to Cairns upgraded to 'close contact' status on Wednesday afternoon.

Those on the same plane as the Cairns positive case have been directed to remain in home quarantine until 14 days after the flight. 

Mr Miles reported that 7,766 people are currently in home quarantine across the state. 

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"I want to thank them for what they are doing for all of us," he said. 

"They are doing a service to all Queenslanders."

The Commonwealth will also bring forward the delivery of Pfizer vaccines for Queensland, originally allocated for September, to August. 

The total number of active cases across the state stands at 122. 

* Tropic Now aims to continually update this story, along with all COVID-19-related coverage, with the latest information. Therefore this story may have been edited since its publication date and time.