A cinema, a barbers and an entire beachside resort are on urgent Covid alert with hundreds plunged into isolation after an infected Uber driver spent 10 days in the community - sparking fears Queensland could be forced into another lockdown.
Duran Raman, aged in his 30s and unvaccinated, tested positive to the virus on Wednesday, bringing an end to the state's 15-day Covid-free streak.
Health authorities said the exercise enthusiast, who is 'so sick he can barely speak', has lived in a private resort in Broadbeach for about 12 months and was out and about around the Gold Coast while infectious.
If he spread the virus to other people while out in the community, Queensland's notoriously cautious health officials could order a snap lockdown - particularly if any unlinked cases emerge.
Eight new alerts were issued for several venues on Wednesday night, including a cinema, barber shop, petrol station, and the entirety of Island Beach Resort where he'd been staying, as contact tracers scramble to stem a possible outbreak.
Duran Raman, aged in his 30s, (pictured) was infectious in the community for up to 10 days after returning from a trip to Melbourne on October 10
Guests, residents, and workers who have been at Island Beach Resort in Broadbeach (pictured) anytime from Saturday through to Tuesday have been plunged into isolation
Adding to the difficulty of their task, Mr Raman - who was unvaccinated and shared anti-vax videos over his social media accounts - allegedly has not used Queensland's QR check-in system for over a month, according to health officials.
Of the new exposure sites, authorities are most concerned about Gilly Barber in Richlands and Stafford's Hoyts Cinema, which were both visited on October 18 between 5.10pm to 6pm and 7.15pm to 10.45pm, respectively.
Both venues have been deemed close contact sites, with anyone who was there during the time window of concern urged to immediately isolate, get tested, and quarantine for 14 days.
Freedom Fuels, in Acacia Ridge, is now considered a casual contact site on Tuesday 19, between 6.25pm-640pm.
The same applies to Mr Raman's home, Island Beach Resort, which is the subject of four alerts after residents were exposed all day on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.
Hoyts Cinema in Stafford (pictured) has been declared a close contact venue for Monday October 18, between 7.15pm to 10.45pm
Anyone who visited Freedom Fuels in Acacia Ridge (pictured) on Tuesday is considered a casual contact
Everyone who was at the resort or petrol shop during those times will need to get tested immediately and isolate until they receive a negative result - including cleaners, front desk staff, and guests.
Mr Raman, who was a member of gym EMF Performance centre, which has branches across the city, tested positive at Robina Hospital on Wednesday before Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the new case on Thursday.
It is alleged he checked out of the hospital before the results came back and had to be tracked down at his home by police and health authorities when he could not be contacted, the Courier Mail reports.
Police arrived at the resort, where he lives alone, about 5.30pm on Wednesday and he was taken to Gold Coast University by an ambulance.
The gym junkie is no so sick with coronavirus it has proven difficult to get information on his movements since he returned from a trip to Melbourne on October 10.
Mr Raman shared his reaction to a Victorian Covid press conference from the start of September in which Premier Dan Andrews announced some eased restrictions.
He captioned the video posted to his Instagram: 'Mr Gronk. A dead set gronk'.
In the conference, the premier announced playgrounds would be reopening and authorised workers would once again be permitted in homes to provide services.
'Yay. The playgrounds are going to reopen. Wow,' Mr Raman is heard saying.
'Playgrounds and looking after kids, you f***ing gronk. You're a gronk, look at ya.'
Queensland Police are currently investigating whether the Broadbeach man had tried to enter the state
