Queensland Health staff will treat that crew member onboard the Inge Kosan, which is anchored off the Sunshine Coast.

All 21 crew members had been tested and seven historical cases of the virus were detected, Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said on Tuesday.

"Seven have come back as having fully recovered, they are no longer infectious but they've certainly had the infection. Plus then there's that additional confirmed case," she said.

"We'll be caring for that one case onboard ... because they are well."

She said it appeared "most people on that ship have already been exposed to the virus".

Meanwhile, another health authorities are waiting for another ship of concern that's on the way to Queensland from Vanuatu.

Dr Young said 11 crew were aboard that vessel, and authorities would be managing it when it arrived.

"We've had, over the last 12 or so months, a lot of experience dealing with ships with positive cases onboard."

Australian Associated Press