The worker returned to the airport the following day but was unable to take a flight so they went back into quarantine before testing positive on March 2.
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Dr Young said the cab transfers were carried out in “approved taxis” as part of the quarantine process, with safety protocols such as mask wearing in place. Both drivers have been tracked down and are now being tested in isolation.
A third positive case arrived on the Qatar flight and travelled on to New Zealand on February 17.
“We have completed our contact tracing for all three and I want to reassure Queenslanders that there is no risk to the public – primarily thanks to mask wearing, social distancing and cleaning processes,” Dr Young said.
“While it is low risk, we are taking a precautionary approach, and both [taxi] drivers are in isolation and are being tested.”
State government data showed 8008 Pfizer vaccine doses had been administered under the first stage of the rollout to Saturday, with Queensland Health defending its slow pace earlier in the week. A total of 1474 doses were administered on Friday alone.
The first doses of the more easily administered AstraZeneca vaccine will be fast-tracked to the Torres Strait this weekend, as fears grow that the virus could spread south from PNG, where there has been a recent surge in cases.
The decision, backed by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, came after a sixth returned worker from the PNG mine tested positive while in quarantine. Five earlier tested positive on Thursday after arriving in Cairns on a charter flight.