‘Hens’ entertainer’ linked to outbreak in Queensland

A Queensland tradesman who travelled to Byron Bay to attend a hens’ party as an entertainer returned to the Gold Coast and visited an agedcare facility while infected with Covid-19.

The man is linked to the second cluster amid an escalating outbreak in the Sunshine State which added eight locally acquired cases yesterday, according to Queensland Health officials.

Chief health officer Jeannette Young revealed there are two separate clusters that have been linked to two unconnected health officials.

The first cluster was linked to a doctor from the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane from three weeks ago who is believed to have infected the Stafford and Strathpine men from last week.

The second cluster, currently responsible for five infections, is linked to a nurse from the same hospital, who travelled to Byron Bay with her sister for what appears to be a hens’ party.

“One of the positive cases in that second cluster attended the hens’ party as an entertainer,” Young told reporters yesterday.

This man allegedly became infected at the party before returning to the Gold Coast where he visited the TriCare Mermaid Beach Aged Care Residence.

“But every resident in that agedcare facility has already been vaccinated, had their first dose,” Young said.

“We’re working with the Commonwealth to respond to that aged-care facility.

“The team down at the Gold Coast are organising to go to the facility today and vaccinate the staff of that facility.”