Covid Qld: BGS cluster raises fears of Head of River super spreader

Fears are rife that a major GPS rowing event at the weekend has become a Covid-19 “super spreader” after several competitors from one school tested positive.

Fears are rife that the elite GPS Head of the River rowing event on Saturday has become a Covid-19 “super spreader” as a number of Brisbane Grammar School’s First VIII are understood to have tested positive to the virus.

Schools that took part in the highly anticipated and well-attended day of racing at Wyaralong Dam in the Scenic Rim also included Brisbane Boys’ College (which won the title for its second year), Gregory Terrace, Churchie, The Southport School, Nudgee College and Brisbane State High.

Rowing afterparties are also considered high-risk zones for the virus.

Brisbane Grammar School on Monday issued a mandate for masks for all students and staff from Tuesday.

The Courier-Mail understands that at least 17 students and one teacher from its Year 8B class have also tested positive.

Deputy headmaster David Carroll emailed students to advise of the mask rule, which will run until the end of term 1.

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Mr Carroll said there had been “a considerable increase in the number of close contacts who are isolating”.

“Students must wear masks except when eating. Students must be seated in their respective social spaces when eating. Please do not eat while walking to your social space,” he said.

Mr Carroll said teachers and students could remove their masks in classrooms and air purifiers had been installed in areas without adequate ventilation.

In an email to families, the school said due to “a considerable increase in the number of close contacts who are isolating”, students must wear masks, except when eating, and be seated in their respective social spaces when eating.

“Please do not eat while walking to your social space,” the school said.

Brisbane Girls Grammar School has also made the decision to re-introduce the wearing of masks until the end of the term, as a “precautionary measure”.

A BGGS spokesperson said to minimise the spread of COVID-19, staff and students will be required to wear masks unless they are seated indoors or they can maintain a 1.5m physical distance outdoors

This outbreak follows a similar situation at Marist College Ashgrove that as of last week had impacted 170 students and 20 staff.

Marist College Ashgrove, Head of College Michael Newman said the college are following Queensland Health directive and implementing health and safety measures in relation to the Covid-19 cases at the school.

“We are cancelling events such as assemblies, dances and larger gatherings, asking students and staff to wash hands vigilantly and to wear masks when social distancing is not possible,” he said.

And BGS itself was the site of a Covid-19 cluster last August, that involved several other schools and locked down South East Queensland.

Brisbane Grammar School was closed last August due to a Covid-19 cluster.