Queensland schools recording Covid cases with alerts sent to parents

Schools across Queensland are understood to be impacted as parents are warned of positive Covid cases just three days into the term. See the full list of schools impacted here:

Quest News can reveal the names of more than 80 Queensland schools reportedly recording positive Covid-19 cases, with parents sharing email announcements.

The names of more than 80 schools believed to be affected by positive Covid-19 results have been revealed as the state records hundreds of positive cases for children.

Three days after the start of the school year and already students have been reporting cases of Covid-19 in the classroom.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath, revealed yesterday there were 534 school children, aged from five to 17, with Covid-19 and said figures would be updated daily.

Over 60 schools from across southeast Queensland — including Brisbane, Caboolture, Morayfield, Nambour, Redland City and Logan — are understood to have been impacted by people testing positive to the virus. Photo: contributed.

Parents from schools across Brisbane and regional Queensland have taken to sharing emails and text messages revealing the announcements of positive Covid-19 cases online to help spread awareness in their local communities.

Over 680 schools from across Queensland — including Brisbane, Caboolture, Morayfield, Nambour, Redland City, Ipswich, Rockhampton, Warwick, and Logan — are understood to have been impacted by people testing positive to the virus.

Parents from The Gap State High School were notified of a positive Covid-19 case via email by Principal Anne McLauchlan on February 9.

Parents from The Gap State High School were notified of a positive Covid-19 case via email by Principal Anne McLauchlan on February 9. Photo: contributed.

According to concerned parents, various schools across Queensland aren’t notifying all parents of positive Covid-19 cases at the school. Instead these schools are reportedly only letting parents of those specific classes know.

Parents from Morayfield State High School have expressed their frustration at finding out the school has recorded positive cases from other parents, instead of from the school itself.

Parent Sarah Fraser said she hasn’t heard anything from the school, despite seeing an official school email reporting cases from other parents.

Parents from The Gap State High School were notified of a positive Covid-19 case via email by Principal Anne McLauchlan on February 9. Photo: contributed.

“My son goes to Morayfield high and I haven’t received anything about this,” she said.

Another parent, Erin Grant, said she was in the same boat.

“I have two children go to Morayfield High and no letter,” she said.

“I’m assuming that only the year level involved are being notified.”

Morayfield parent Robyn Stafford shared the school’s official letter warning of positive Covid-19 cases saying her son was in year seven.

According to a spokesperson from the Department of Education Queensland Health has advised the following when Covid-19 cases occur at a school:

• Communication will be provided to staff and families that there has been a Covid-19 case (it is important to know that specific information of the case will remain confidential). This advice may be provided to you as part of regular updates to the community;

• Community members will be advised to monitor for Covid-19 symptoms and stay home if unwell; and

• Follow any direction provided by the Public Health Unit (PHU) or Queensland Health.

All individuals must follow Queensland Health advice in relation to isolation and testing.

Where there are multiple Covid-19 cases, the school will work closely with the PHU about any requirement to close. This includes a two-step precautionary clean as outlined in the Queensland Government’s Managing Covid-19 in workplaces.

Principals will communicate with their school communities should there be a requirement to close for any length of time.

For privacy reasons the department is unable to provide details relating to positive cases in school communities.

All high school students, including those who are under 12 years of age, all school staff at both primary and high school, early childhood workers, volunteers, family members, contractors and other visitors must wear masks.

Parents from The Gap State High School were notified of a positive Covid-19 case via email by Principal Anne McLauchlan on February 9. Photo: contributed.

Students in years 3 to 6 are provided with masks and encouraged to wear them at school when physical distancing is not possible. There are a number of exceptions.

Students and staff must not attend school if they are unwell or have Covid-19 symptoms.

Those who have symptoms will be prioritised to receive a free rapid antigen test at a Queensland Health testing clinic.

A student or staff member who has symptoms at school will be sent home with a RAT to administer at home.

The following schools are understood to have been impacted:

NORTHSIDE

1. Bribie Island State High School

2. Morayfield State School

3. Morayfield East State School

4. Caboolture East State School Prep B class

5. Morayfield East High School

6. Caboolture State School

7. Caboolture State High School three cases

8. Tullawong State School

9. Elimbah State School

10. Wamuran State School

11. Moreton Downs State School

12. Deception Bay State High School

13. Narangba Valley State School

14. Narangba Valley State High School

15. Redcliffe State School

16. Bay Herald State School

17. Redcliffe State High School

18. Norris Road Primary School

19. Tullawong Primary School

20. Kilcoy State High School

21. Elimbah Primary School 4B

22. Nambour State College

23. The Gap State High School

24. Ascot State Primary School

25. Nashville State Primary School

26. St Columbans Caboolture

27. Pine Rivers State High School

28. Aspley State High School

29. Morayfield State High School

30. Mango Hill State School

31. Mango Hill State Secondary School

SOUTHSIDE

1. Cleveland District State High

2. Marsden State High

3. Rochedale South State School

4. Kimberley Park State School

5. Victoria Point State School

6. Ormiston State School on day one

7. Capalaba State College

8. Wellington Point High School

9. Crestmead State School (staff and students)

10. Park Ridge Primary School

11. Windaroo Valley High School

12. Waterford State School

13. Beaudesert State High School

14. Beaudesert State School

15. Mansfield State Primary School

16. Flagstone State School

17. Kingston State School

18. Woodridge North State School

19. Eagleby South State School

20. Springfield Central State School

21. Runcorn State High School

22. Loganlea State High School

23. Boronia Heights State Primary School

24. Rochedale State High School

25. Sunnybank State Primary School

26. Macgregor State Primary School

27. Macgregor State High School

28. Yugumbir State Primary School

29. Yugumbir State High School

30. Browns Plains State Primary School

31. Algester State Primary School

32. Thornlands State Primary School

33. Morningside State Primary School

34. Balmoral State High School

35. Victoria Point State Primary School

36. Vienna Woods State Primary School

IPSWICH

1. Augusta State School

2. Bellbird Park State Secondary College

3. Bremer State High School

4. Camira State School

5. Forest Lake State High School

6. Goodna State School

7. Harristown State High School

8. Laidley District State School

9. Moggill State Primary School

10. Walloon State School

11. Woodcrest State College

12. Woodlinks State School

REGIONAL

1. Kingaroy State High School

2. Sunshine Coast Grammar

3. Marist College in Emerald

4. North Rockhampton State High School

5. Rockhampton Special School

6. Parkhurst State School

7. Rockhampton’s Emmaus College

8. Toolooa State High School in Gladstone

9. Mackay Northern Beaches State High School

10. Warwick State High School