The North Queensland Cowboys have been thrown into chaos after a member of their bubble has been identified as a close contact to a confirmed COVID-19 case.
Many areas of Queensland were placed into a snap three-day lockdown on Tuesday after more confirmed cases in the state.
And now the Cowboys have been forced to take drastic measures to ensure the safety and well-being of their squad.
Training was cancelled on Wednesday morning after a member of the club's Apollo Register was identified as a close contact.
The member came into contact with the confirmed COVID-19 case at the Townsville Markets on Sunday.
As soon as the member was identified, they undertook a COVID-19 test and are in isolation while waiting for the results.
Two other members of the Cowboys bubble have also undergone COVID-19 testing.
They travelled to Magnetic Island on Saturday and are also now in isolation waiting for their results.
The club confirmed in a statement that no protocols were breached by any of the three members.
"None of the three Apollo Register members breached any protocol as the Cowboys were under Level One restrictions at the time," the statement read.
"In accordance with QLD Health guidelines and after consultation with the NRL, the remainder of the Cowboys Apollo register have been sent home to isolate until test results return.
"The Cowboys will continue to work closely with Queensland Health, complying with directions, to ensure the health and safety of the local community."
The Cowboys are the first club that has been exposed to a COVID case in this way following the latest outbreak.
A number of Canterbury Bulldogs players broke NRL instructions by visiting an Eastern Suburbs venue.
Dylan Napa, Brandon Wakeham, Aaron Schoupp, Sione Katoa and Corey Wadell all visited the Royal Hotel in Bondi on June 20.
The five players have been dropped from the Bulldogs side this weekend set to take on Manly.
More to come.
