An unvaccinated hospital worker has sent Queensland into lockdown after she tested positive following a trip from Brisbane to Townsville.
South-east Queensland, Palm Island, Townsville and Magnetic Island will lock down from 6pm Tuesday.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the woman, a casual hospital clerical worker from Sandgate in Queensland, had travelled to Magnetic Island before testing positive.
Ms Palaszczuk said the hospital worker, who under health directives should have been vaccinated, was not.
"I am absolutely furious about this," Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.
"This leaves us with no option."
The state recorded four cases in the 24 hours to Tuesday, two of whom were overseas arrivals.
Dr Jeanette Young said she was unable to say where the other case of local transmission had been acquired.
Sequencing will be undertaken to determine its origin.
Ms Palaszczuk said that the lockdown would give contact tracers time to catch up on several burgeoning outbreaks in the northern state.
She said she was concerned about the 150 international travellers coming through Queensland.
"Hotel quarantine is just not the answer," she said. "We need to get on top of this.
"The reason why we are having lockdowns in major cities is because the overseas arrivals are bringing it here, they are going into hotels and our staff are getting it."
"I am just urging the prime minister, reduce the caps."
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Matt Carr
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
