Queensland Health Minister Yvette D Ath. (File photo) This will be the first positive case of the South African variant in Australia. We have seen other jurisdictions record a UK variant. The positive news, the good news about this individual, is that they were in hotel quarantine at the time they were tested and they have since been transferred to a hospital. Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said the strain was thought to be more contagious and had been picked up during genome sequencing of the virus carried by the woman. Young said she had no concerns after authorities doubled-back to check their interactions and transfers of the woman for any gaps.
First Australian case of more virulent COVID-19 strain found in Queensland
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Coronavirus Australia: Qld hotel quarantine finds South Africa strain
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Chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said the new strain was believed to have originated in South Africa and be more contagious than the common COVID-19 variant identified in Australia. Dr Jeannette Young with Health Minister Yvette D Ath, during a media conference on Tuesday December 29. Picture Steve Pohlner This new variant is a concern as it is believed to be more contagious, she said. It is different to the variant recently detected in the United Kingdom. The woman was routinely placed into hotel quarantine upon arrival, Dr Young said. All of the other passengers aboard her flight are also in hotel quarantine and being closely monitored.