Update on NSW situation and reaction from QLD and WA:
- Authorities are investigating how the woman, who works at two hotels in Sydney, one of which houses returning international travellers, acquired the case.
- NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said five family members who the woman lived with had tested negative to COVID-19, but would still complete 14 days’ isolation.
- Health authorities are racing to alert close contacts, including fellow public transport commuters and co-workers at the Ibis and Novotel hotels.
WA:
NSW was on track to hit the 28-day milestone this Friday, but the emergence of the case on Thursday morning could put the state back to square one.
On Thursday, a spokesperson said the WA government was awaiting advice before it made any decision.
“WA’s chief health officer will seek further information from NSW before providing advice to the Premier,” the spokesperson said.
It’s understood chief health officer Dr Andrew Robertson will monitor the situation and await NSW Health’s investigation before he makes a formal recommendation on the NSW borders to the Premier.
QLD:
Speaking in parliament on Thursday morning, Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said there were no “proposed changes” to the border restrictions.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queensland’s health officials were working closely with Sydney authorities in the wake of the new case.
Ms Palaszczuk confirmed the state was moving to a “hot spot” system, and that there would have to be a “massive outbreak” to slam the border shut again.
“There are so many variables here, each particular case has got to be looked at on its merits and (we have to) work out what the risk is to Queensland,” she said.
New NSW case should not change WA border according to Deakin University's Chair of Epidemiology
Deakin University's Chair of Epidemiology, Catherine Bennett, has told ABC Radio Perth, the new case should not affect WA's decision to reopen its border to NSW.
"I think every state needs to be prepared for a case, it can't be guaranteed that our borders can be perfect and that's true in any state, including Western Australia itself, and I think holding back because we've got one case is not proportionate," she said.
Christmas plans around Australia are up in the air after a Sydney hotel quarantine worker tested positive to COVID-19.
www.news.com.au
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt says the Pfizer vaccine approved in the United Kingdom will hold "very important data, very important lessons" for Australia and the rest of the world.
www.abc.net.au