The man is his 30s, who is unvaccinated, tested positive after presenting to the Robina Hospital emergency department on Wednesday night.

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said the Broadbeach man had been infectious in the community for 10 days and arrived from Melbourne on October 10.

Authorities are struggling to work out where the man has been because his illness is limiting communication, and because he had not checked-in using a QR code since September 18.

"He is so sick, this is a man in his 30s, he is so sick that we're having difficulties talking to him and getting information from him," Dr Young said.

"We don't have venues at this stage because as I said he is so sick that he's having difficulty communicating with us, and difficulty remembering.

"So this is very difficult for him, but it's also very difficult for the Gold Coast community because I can't give you those areas (where he's been)."

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who said she understands the man is receiving oxygen, said it is also unclear how he was able to get into Queensland from Melbourne without quarantining. Police are investigating.

She said there was no plan for a localised lockdown, but the case was a "wake up call" to the 156,000 eligible Gold Coasters who are not yet vaccinated.

"We need people to be vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated you are more than likely, ending up very, very sick from COVID or in hospital, or an ICU," the premier said.

Dr Young urged people on the Gold Coast to keep wearing masks and to get tested so authorities can determine whether any transmission has occurred.

"And please don't wait like this poor gentleman has, that he's so breathless he can hardly talk to us. Come forward straight away (for) any symptoms, so that we can get you tested," she said.

The man is a driver partner with Uber, but the company confirmed he has not driven with the platform since September 19.

"We work with public health authorities in each state, and have processes in place to temporarily remove an individual's access to the Uber app if authorities report an infection," an Uber official told AAP in a statement.

The case emerged after 7616 tests in the previous 24 hours, and is the first locally acquired case to be infectious in the community in Queensland for 16 days.

The case comes as the government prepares to set up vaccine clinics at 100 state schools this weekend before it eases restrictions on interstate travel in November and December.

Every Queenslander over 12 is eligible to be vaccinated.

The government will open up the state in three stages. The first stage begins on November 19, when 70 per cent of Queenslanders over 16 will have been double-dosed, allowing fully vaccinated people to do home quarantine.

On December 17, or earlier if Queensland hits 80 per cent before then, fully vaccinated domestic travellers can come into the state without having to quarantine although they must return a negative PCR test before arrival.

At 90 per cent, the state will scrap quarantine for all fully vaccinated overseas arrivals.

Australian Associated Press