Australia records first local Covid-19 case in two weeks

Government data shows that most cases in Australia are acquired from overseas travel

(Getty Images)

The first local Covid case in two weeks has been recorded in Australia.

A doctor in Brisbane, Queensland has tested positive for the virus, with restrictions being put in place at local hospitals.

Queensland state Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that last week, the unnamed doctor treated two patients who had recently returned to Australia and had tested positive for the UK variant.

"We know this doctor, who assessed these two Covid-positive patients was at the hospital at the time. Now, she developed symptoms," Ms Palaszczuk told reporters in the state capital, Brisbane. It was Australia’s first local infection since 24 February.

As the authorities work to determine the scale of the outbreak, all hospitals within Brisbane will be closed to visitors.

Follow live: Covid updates from the UK and around the world

A local case, of which this is the first in a fortnight, is defined as a case where the source of the infection and the new infection is in the same locale.

Currently, there is an average of just 12 confirmed cases of Covid-19 across a 30-day time period in Australia.

Government data currently shows that most cases in Australia are acquired as a result of overseas travel.

Australia has reported just over 29,000 coronavirus infections and 909 deaths since the pandemic began.

The country’s case total is far lower than many other wealthy countries, with the total case size being 146 times smaller than the UK total, for example.

The country’s ability to quell the spread of the virus stems from firm lockdown measures, international border closures, and strict social-distancing rules.

The Australian government states that most Covid-19 cases recorded since October have been a result of overseas travel.

In neighbouring New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Saturday the country will reopen its borders for the first time to allow residents of Niue, a small Pacific country, to enter.

They will not have to quarantine on their arrival from March 24, Arden said.

"Niue has no reported cases of COVID-19 and its stringent border controls mean we can be confident it is safe to commence quarantine-free travel to New Zealand from Niue," Ardern said in an emailed statement.