A fruit picker who sparked a public health alert in Bundaberg earlier this month, after testing positive to coronavirus, has now recovered.
The 24-year-old from Victoria tested positive for COVID-19 in the first week of June after flying to Bundaberg from Melbourne, via Brisbane.
A Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service spokeswoman said a further 28 close contacts have also returned negative COVID-19 results after quarantining.
Response praised, vigilance still key
Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers' managing director, Bree Grima, said the man's recovery and no spread in cases showed industry management plans have worked.
"We've been calling all producers in the region making sure they've got their health management plans and all the information they need so that they can make decisions about who is coming onto their farm and contingency plans in place should there be a case confirmed," she said.
"We do get worried that people are relaxing to a new type of norm but it's really important to continue to check the paper work of the workers to check where they have come from."
A Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service spokeswoman said fever clinics remain open and anyone with symptoms should be tested for COVID-19.
"We urge people not to be complacent and to protect themselves and others against COVID-19 by continuing to practice good hygiene and distancing," she said.
"We also continue to encourage our community to be tested for COVID-19 if they have the relevant symptoms — no matter how mild — such as runny nose, fever, fatigue, cough, sore throat, loss of sense or taste, or shortness of breath.
"Our fever clinics open seven days a week in Bundaberg, Maryborough and Hervey Bay, from 9.30am–5.30pm."
Ms Grima said SSS Strawberries, the farm where the man worked, had followed the guidelines.
"The business had a robust health management plan in place," she said.
"It's really important that they have their health management plan in place and we can help walk them through that process."
Key takeaways for industry
Ms Grima said the industry now had a proven procedure in place should there be another confirmed case.
"Alternating when work crews turn up, that they stay together, have their lunch together and live together — and then that reduces the risk," she said.
Ms Grima said ensuring a sufficient supply of workers was now a focus.
"We've got quite a lot of workers is the region at the moment," she said.
"We're more concerned about where we are going to be in a year's time if those international borders don't open up.
"We need to make the most of the workers we've got and make it as easy as possible for them to come to the region."
