One of the region’s top cops has praised the response of Far North Queenslanders to a potential outbreak of COVID-19, following a second day of no new cases in the region.
28 testing sites have performed a record number of swabs, while people ordered into home quarantine are complying.
“We’re used to responding to disasters, we’re used to pulling together as a community,” said Inspector Brad Winks.
“They want to generally do the right thing, protect this beautiful part of the world and get back to normal as quickly as possible.”
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The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) says around 3,500 COVID-19 tests were conducted yesterday at both private and public clinics.
Acting Executive Director of Medical Services, Grant Howard, said that’s about a 15-fold increase on average numbers.
“Far North Queensland has really stepped up in the last 48 hours and they’ve been working really well with us to keep the community safe,” he said.
“The visuals of a clinic on the Esplanade are a pretty sight and also a grim reminder of where we are.
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CHHHS Executive Director of Allied Health Donna Goodman said the region’s success in avoiding lockdown so far can largely be attributed to the vaccination status of the marine pilot with the positive case.
She said the fact that his closest contacts have returned negative tests and that it was easy to contract trace were also major factors.
“The fact that the person was fully vaccinated is absolutely ideal,” she said.
“We just encourage people to continue to come out and get tested so we make sure that we don’t have an outbreak here like we’ve got in New South Wales.”
Do I need to book in for a test?
Testing hasn’t been without its issues, with many people confused over whether they need to book appointments.
Of the 28 testing sites, 20 are privately-owned by companies including Sullivan Nicolaides and QML.
For these, bookings are not necessary and currently, a GP referral isn’t required either.
The Cairns Hospital fever clinic is also taking walk-ins, however the drive-through clinic at Portsmith is not – you must book or you will be turned away.
Go here to find your nearest testing centre and booking requirements.
Nurse abuse not on
Inspector Brad Winks said there have been occasional complaints that nurses at testing sites have been verbally abused.
Officers are doing rounds of testing clinics to make sure staff are being treated properly.
“We’re understanding of the fact that a lot of people are scared and they’re worried about what’s happening in the world at the moment but we need to make sure we treat our health staff with the respect they deserve,” he said.
“They’re doing a very tough job under very difficult circumstances.
“The Cairns community really needs to understand and appreciate the work they are doing.”
CHHHS has added that nurses are working above and beyond, with the Cairns fever clinic remaining open until 1am this morning, despite being scheduled to close at 10pm.
Compliance checks
Police are also conducting checks at addresses where close contacts should be home quarantining, with crews working two different shifts.
“People are very compliant, again it seems to be the attitude of the Far North Queenslanders,” Insp Winks said.
However at Cairns Airport, police are picking up people who are unlawfully flying into Cairns from lockdown zones on a daily basis.
“People are continuing to push the boundaries,” Insp Winks said.
“We’re still getting people who are travelling to Cairns who have no lawful authority to do that.
“People don’t like it when we put them on a plane to immediately return to where they’ve come from, and they’ve got to enjoy the inside of the Cairns Airport for a two hour period.”
Do I have to continue isolating if I've had a negative test result?
Close contacts must isolate for two weeks, even if they receive a negative test.
CHHHS says there are currently over 500 close contacts in the region.
You're classed as a close contact if you have been to the main exposure sites during the exposure timeframes.
The sites include Bluewater Early Learning, Hidden at Yorkeys, Bayleaf Balinese Restaurant, 1300SMILES dental practice, Reef Magic II ferry to Fitzroy Island and Qantas flight QF708.
People in other contact categories just require a negative test to discontinue isolating.
Click here for the full exposure sites list.
Delta source believed to be from one of two ships
The source of the current case is believed to be one of two ships the marine pilot boarded to navigate through the Great Barrier Reef.
The Delta variant is not the same as that which has caused Brisbane’s outbreak.
One of the ships is currently in Sydney’s Botany Bay and the other is in New Zealand.
General Manager of Maritime Safety Queensland, Angus Mitchell, told Tropic Now the marine pilot spent a combined 28 hours onboard the two vessels.
“He did pilot two ships in the period where potentially he may have been exposed," he said.
“Once we get the genomic sequencing done, then we’ll know.”
Mr Mitchell said he has received advice that those results could come back tomorrow.
