Queensland's coronavirus cases have leapt to eight, with all new infections linked to virus clusters in the state's southwest.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urged people not to be alarmed by the number, which is the highest since 31 August, saying all but one person were already in isolation when they were tested.
"From the outset, I want to assure Queenslanders that although that number is our highest daily tally for some time, each of those people diagnosed is related to existing cases," she said.
"This is not a time for alarm - this is a time to thank that our testing system is so professional."
Three of the new cases are linked to Ipswich Hospital, west of Brisbane, growing that cluster to eight infections, while five are linked to an outbreak at a Queensland Corrective Services training facility in Waco.
St Edmund's College in Ipswich has also been closed for two days after a year 11 student tested positive.
A letter has been sent out to parents informing them the Catholic boys school would shut immediately to undergo cleaning and contact tracing.
Queensland currently has 29 active cases. Victoria, the state worst hit by the virus, has 1622 active cases.
It comes as the premier again went on the offensive over the state's tough coronavirus measures, attacking the LNP opposition over criticisms levelled at the state's chief health officer.
"The treatment of (Dr Jeannette Young) has been a complete and utter disgrace," she told parliament on Wednesday.
Ms Palaszczuk said she had sympathy for people unable to visit loved ones in hospital during the hard border lockdown, saying she had also been unable to visit her uncle when he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
Meanwhile, more than 7,000 Queenslanders have volunteered to be part of a COVID-19 vaccination trial by the University of Queensland.
Minister for State Development, Tourism and Innovation Kate Jones told parliament the university had the capacity to produce a vaccine by mid-2021.
An Australian-produced vaccine could prove vital, Ms Jones said, on the back of news pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has paused its COVID-19 trial after a "potentially unexplained illness" in one of the trials.
Australia has ordered 33 million doses of the Oxford University vaccine to be rolled out from early next year if the trials prove successful.
It comes as health workers continue to "aggressively" trace contacts of people potentially exposed to an outbreak at the Ipswich Hospital.
More than 200 staff at the health facility remain in isolation, with private hospitals asked to take patients requiring non-urgent elective surgeries.
A health alert has been extended to another two venues after an infected person visited Ipswich Garden Centre and a nearby Coles in Karalee about lunchtime on 4 September.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
