Southern and South East Queensland can expect more COVID-19 cases in coming weeks, but an expert says the virus will have a hard time spreading among its highly vaccinated population.
Two new community cases were recorded in Queensland today, prompting urgent contact tracing by authorities.
A 32-year-old man on the Gold Coast was in the community for six days while infectious, while a person at Warwick on the Southern Downs was infectious in the community for 10 days.
That case is linked to a gathering in the New South Wales town of Moree, which has lead to a cluster of about 100 infections.
Infectious diseases expert Professor Nigel McMillan from Griffith University said the virus was unlikely to gain a foothold in regional communities with high vaccination rates.
"In Goondiwindi [for example], with its very high vaccination rate, the virus won't really be able to get hold … it'll sort of peter out," Professor McMillian said.
He said in areas with lower vaccination rates, health measures such as masks would still be needed to reduce the spread of the disease.
"The need for lockdowns is obviously going to be much less," he said.
Professor McMillian said vaccinations would be essential to protecting communities as border restrictions around Australia gradually ease.
"More cases are coming and that's not going to be a surprise," he said.
'It could get worse'
Queensland Health has listed several new contact tracing locations, including the Condamine Sports Club and Warwick RSL on Monday, November 1 for the Warwick case.
Warwick pharmacist Ahmad Almesfer said locals were doing their best to stay calm.
"I think it's in people's minds that it could well get worse in the next five or six weeks," he said.
"It's definitely a bit worrying. One of the sites is actually in front of [our shop] and one of them is actually behind us.
He said the state's increasing vaccination rates were some comfort, with Queensland hitting its 80 per cent first dose rate today and 68 per cent of the population fully vaccinated.
"I'm more confident now of how we would handle things than I was right at the start of [the pandemic]," Mr Almesfer said.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has flagged localised restrictions could be on the cards if large community outbreaks are detected.
