Dozens of schools record Covid cases with alerts sent to parents
Dozens of schools across SEQ are understood to be impacted as parents are warned of positive Covid cases just two days into the term. CHECK OUT THE LIST FOR SEQ HERE
Redlands Coast
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The names of dozens of schools believed to be affected by positive COVID results in their school communities have been revealed as the state records hundreds of positive cases for children.
Two days after the start of the school year and already students have been reporting cases of Covid in the classroom.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath, who is in Cairns this morning, revealed there were 534 school children, aged from five to 17, with COVID-19 and said figures would be updated daily.
“We don’t envisage this is directly related to schools yet as it’s early days,” Ms D’Ath said.
Almost 40 schools from across southeast Queensland — including Caboolture, Morayfield, Nambour, Redland City and Logan — are understood to have been impacted by people testing positive to the virus.
Cleveland District State High School and Kimberley Park State School both sent out letters to parents informing them of cases.
Marsden State High School also recorded its first case this morning and principal Andrew Peach said he thought it might “be the norm for a while”.
Kimberley Park State School principal James Forrest told parents there had been two cases and Cleveland High principal Leonard McKeown sent emails out to parents, staff and students overnight.
Mr McKeown did not elaborate on who had the virus and whether it was a staff member or a student.
He said the partnership between the school and the community meant it was important to keep everyone in the community informed in order to minimise concern.
Parents who had concerns were told to contact the deputy rincipal.
“Please be assured that our school has been taking all appropriate precautions regarding health and hygiene and we will continue to act in accordance with the advice of Queensland Health,” he said.
“We are working closely with the public health authorities and the Department of Education to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.
“If you or any members of your household develop symptoms or feel unwell, please get tested immediately and stay home and isolate.”
Professor Nigel McMillan from Griffith University said schools were going about Covid the right way by isolating sick students.
Professor McMillan said he expected cases to grow before peaking in the next few weeks.
Parents have expressed concerns about children in quarantine with COVID-19 falling behind in school work.
Caboolture’s Jodi Delaney said schools drum it into children that each day that they have off school is important.
“Unfortunately, the first couple of weeks in high school is when children build the foundation of friends because they tend to find their little groups and build friendships within that first few weeks,” she said.
“Unfortunately, ours are among the many that will not have this opportunity.”
Testing centres, alerts and symptoms of COVID-19: covid19.qld.gov.au/
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.
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 - has had two days of multiple cases
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
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
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