Queensland has recorded one new COVID-19 case as the deputy premier plays down fears a freight ship north of Brisbane may be carrying a new mystery strain of the virus.
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Health Minister Steven Miles says it's too soon to determine the genomic identification of the strain that infected a crew member aboard MV Sofrana Surville.
The ship anchored off Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast after authorities on Tuesday prevented it from docking in Brisbane.
A pathologist is expected to start testing the 19 crew members aboard the vessel on Wednesday.
There are no confirmed cases currently on the ship and the crew say they are well.
Earlier, Dr Miles dismissed concerns the ship could be harbouring a mutated version of the disease.
"I've seen those media reports suggesting it's a new strain. We wouldn't have that kind of information to hand yet," he told reporters.
"The initial testing doesn't provide that level of genomic identification.
"There's no need to be particularly concerned about this case. We've managed a number of ships off our coast with positive cases."
The ship left New Zealand earlier in the month with fresh crew from the Philippines before stopping at Noumea in New Caledonia then sailing for Brisbane.
New Zealand alerted Australian officials the crew could be infected with coronavirus on Sunday after an engineer who worked on the Sofrana tested positive.
Queensland health officials have asked New Zealand authorities for more information about the ship and crew.
Maritime Safety Queensland general manager Angus Mitchell says the ship remains isolated in a negative quarantine status, which restricts the movement of people on and off the vessel.
Virus testing will be carried out by a private pathologist contracted by the ship's agent.
The test results are expected on Thursday.
It comes a day after two travellers from New Zealand were forced into quarantine after unexpectedly arriving in Queensland.
Dr Miles previously said the pair flew from Sydney after arriving in Australia under the two country's travel bubble arrangements.
Asked if Queensland would now join the agreement, Dr Miles said "no further consideration" had been given to it.
Queensland recorded one new COVID-19 case overnight after a returned traveller in hotel quarantine tested positive.
Health officials completed 5889 coronavirus tests in the 24 hours to Wednesday morning.
The state has five active cases and it has been 41 days since the last case was diagnosed in the community.
Australian Associated Press
