Brisbane Greek Orthodox cluster: 80 in isolation after Covid cases at admin building

The president of Brisbane’s Greek Club has criticised references to a ‘Greek community centre’ as a Covid exposure site, saying the cases were linked to a different building on an entirely different street.

The Greek Club and Greek Orthodox Church in South Brisbane will operate ‘as normal’ this week after public health messaging caused confusion they were Covid-19 exposure sites.

About 80 staff and volunteers from the Greek Orthodox Community of St George’s administration building are isolating following confirmation two people who worked at the administration centre on 36 Browning St, South Brisbane later tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

President Michael-Angelo Anastas said references from the Queensland Government to the cluster as the ‘Greek community centre’ have been inaccurate because no exposures were associated with the The Greek Club, church or childcare buildings.

“They refer to it as the community centre, and they shouldn’t be referring to it as that,” Mr Anastas said.

The Greek Orthodox Community of St George Brisbane administration centre on Browning Street. Picture: Brad Fleet

“It’s the administration building on Browning Street which sits on the street opposite to where The Greek Club is.

“We’ve undertaken deep cleaning straight away across the whole precinct just for the safety and wellbeing of everyone, even though there has been no other exposures.”

The Greek Orthodox Community of St George Brisbane Sunday school, church and The Greek Club on corner of Besant and Edmondstone Streets. Picture: Brad Fleet

Mr Anastas said the administration worker who became symptomatic last Tuesday morning is in hospital at the Sunshine Coast with milder flu symptoms.

Her child also tested positive.

Another worker from the same administration building subsequently tested positive and is in the Gold Coast University Hospital with “more severe cold and flu type symptoms”.

Greek Club president Michael Anastas. Picture: Peter Wallis

The staff and volunteers who are isolating have all tested negative but must remain in isolation because they are close contacts.

“They are doing well, looking after their safety and wellbeing is the main thing. We’re looking at ways to support them and make sure they can get through the 14 days or however long Queensland Health wants them to remain that way,” Mr Anastas said.

Church services will continue as usual this Sunday.

“The clergy from other parishes support each other, so there will be services this week at our church as normal,” Mr Anastas said.

In response, Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young confirmed Queensland Health would update its information.

“The response from Queensland’s businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic has been wonderful and I am incredibly grateful for the ongoing support and understanding from everyone involved over the last 18 months,” she said.

“The Metro South Public Health Unit (PHU) has today clarified with the Director of the Greek Orthodox Community of St George about concerns relating to the naming convention on the Queensland Health contact tracing website.

“Information on the website will be updated to reflect that only the Administrative Building within the complex was affected and considered to be an exposure venue. I can confirm that other buildings within the centre are not a venue of concern at this moment.”