Dozens of Brisbane backpackers are anxiously waiting to find out the results of their coronavirus tests after a returned overseas traveller tested positive to the virus after leaving hotel quarantine.
Over 50 guests staying at Brisbane City Backpackers and Joe's Place Backpackers, both on Upper Roma Street in the CBD have been forced into lockdown at the two venues with emergency tests yet to determine if they have caught the virus.
The one new local case reported yesterday is a West Australian man who flew to Brisbane from the Philippines and was placed in hotel quarantine.
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He tested negative during this period and was released on July 17.
He then went on to stay at the two backpacker venues before becoming unwell on July 27.
Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said the man tested has been infectious since July 22 and would have been exposed to the Brisbane CBD community for several days.
There is now a close contact exposure alert in place for both backpacker venues, going from last Tuesday afternoon (July 20) through to 1am yesterday (July 28).
Chief Health Officer Jeanette Young said authorities were extremely concerned with the new case and said Queensland's hotel quarantine system was insufficient due to the amount of positive cases being detected in people who complete their mandatory 14 days on return to the country.
She reminded everyone to get tested if they feel unwell and continue wearing masks where required.
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"This is the 13th incursion of the virus into the community in Queensland over the last six weeks," Dr Young said.
"So it is becoming increasingly concerning we are having these repeated incursions of the virus.
"It's really, really important, please, anyone in Queensland, with any symptoms at all to come forward and get tested."
All backpacker guests who are in lockdown are under police guard and won't be allowed to leave either site until they return a negative test.
