New Russian variant of COVID-19 detected in Queensland hotel quarantine

Passengers aboard a Qatar Airways flight that landed in Brisbane last month will have their quarantine period extended after it was revealed several people on board tested positive for the Russian strain of coronavirus.

Due to be released from isolation today, all 74 passengers will have their quarantine period extended for a further five days as authorities investigate and organise additional testing. 

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Returned travellers have Brisbane hotel quarantine stay extended after Russian COVID-19 variant scare

Passengers and crew on an international flight that arrived in Brisbane last month have been forced to extend their hotel quarantine stay after several cases of the Russian COVID-19 variant were detected.

Queensland Health confirmed to 7NEWS.com.au that two cases of the B1.1.317 variant were recorded among passengers on Qatar Airways flight QR898, which arrived from Doha on February 17. 

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New Russian COVID variant on the loose in Queensland

New variant of COVID-19 is on the loose in Queensland, forcing dozens of travellers to extend their stay in hotel quarantine.

At least 74 passengers and crew who arrived in Brisbane on a Qatar Airways flight QR898 from Doha on February 17 will now remain in quarantine until Monday, March 8, after two cases of the B1.1.317 variant — or Russian strain — were recorded.

They’ll also undergo additional testing, with a letter from Metro North Hospital and Health Service to the passengers confirming the coronavirus infections “occurred later in the 14-day quarantine period”. 

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