Aged care nurse under investigation after working while infected with COVID-19

Health bosses are demanding answers from a central Queensland nurse and her aged care employer, after she continued to work while ill with COVID-19.

The woman worked at the North Rockhampton Nursing Centre for two weeks while infected, mostly as a receptionist.

She had been tested for coronavirus after showing symptoms but went back to work before her test results came back.

"She wasn't providing hands-on care to the residents, which is a good thing because it means the risk to the residents is less," Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said today.

"But she did have contact with people, which is why we're being extremely cautious."

It seems a new coronavirus cluster has been avoided.

In a delicate operation, ambulances removed the most at-risk elderly from the ward where the nurse was ill into hospital quarantine.

"We have now tested 193 people, including 114 residents," Health Minister Steven Miles said.

"The rest being staff and other contacts. All 193 have tested negative."

The nurse's actions are now under investigation by hospital and health authorities.

Deputy Chief Medical Officef Michael Kidd declined to comment, pending the investigation, but urged people to self-isolate until receiving their results.

"Obviously, you're in isolation at home until your test results come back," he said.