Queensland has recorded 17 new cases of COVID-19, the highest daily tally since the outbreak began last year.
16 of the new cases were linked to the Brisbane Delta variant school cluster, the other case was identified as a Cairns reef pilot, who was fully vaccinated with Pfiezer in March.
Genomic testing has identified that the Cairns' case is not linked to the Brisbane outbreak and that the original source of infection was "highly likely" to have been picked up while the pilot was working.
The case has triggered a dozen exposure sites across far north Queensland, including Bluewater Village Early Learning school in Trinity Beach.
Queensland Chief Health officer Dr Jeanette Young said the risk from the Cairns case is low, and is not linked to any known cluster.
"[The pilot] has acquired the Delta variant most likely [from an offshore] ship," Dr Young said.
"It is not the Delta strain circulating in Brisbane, and it hasn't clustered with any known case in Queensland."
"There is very little virus and his family members who live in the same house hold as him [partner and child] have tested negative."
Dr Young said that Queensland Health have established several additional COVID clinics in the Cairns' area and urged everyone in the region to look online for exposure sites.
"It's very important for anyone who is experiencing symptoms come forward and get tested, because although the risk is low, it is not zero," Dr Young said.
