Giant Steps Gladesville: Covid outbreak at Sydney autistic school grows

Parents are questioning why a special needs school in Sydney’s north has not been listed as an exposure site after cases linked to the facility rocketed over the weekend.

A coronavirus outbreak at an autistic school in Sydney’s north has grown to more than 30 cases as family members question why the school has yet to be officially listed as an exposure site.

A student who tested positive for the virus on Saturday is among the latest cases linked to the Giant Steps school in Gladesville which caters for 80 students aged from three to 18.

There are now 32 cases associated with the school including nine students, three staff members and 20 family members who have tested positive.

The total number of cases is almost double the 18 cases recorded at the school on Friday.

The outbreak emerged earlier this month.

The first case was confirmed on August 5 and all staff and students have been directed to self-isolate. 

The school gates also remain closed until further notice.

A relative of a child who attends the campus said there were growing concerns among the school community about the rising number of cases.

The relative, who asked not to be named, said the self-isolation orders have created additional complications for young people with special needs and their families.

The school has 80 students.

“It started with one staff member, then two and the cases continue to grow – it’s extremely concerning,” she said.

“The kids are used to routine – they need structure and they don’t understand the Covid testing. They need special care.

“The parents are struggling, the kids are struggling.”

The school, which has 80 students, educates children from kindergarten to young adults aged up to 18 who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The Giant Steps school in Gladesville.

Until the outbreak, the school had been allowed to remain open by NSW Health due to the high-level needs of the students.

Relatives have questioned why the school had not been listed as an exposure site by NSW Health.

“We don’t understand why we’re not with so many people getting sick – we’re close to a number of other schools and it should be named so people can be aware of what’s happening,” she said.

In a statement, NSW Health said it does not disclose details about venues of concern unless there is a public health reason.

“When a confirmed COVID-19 case attends a venue while possibly infectious, NSW Health carries out a risk assessment on that venue to determine whether other people may have been exposed, and whether there is a public health risk,” a spokeswoman said.

“NSW Health takes proactive steps to contact all close contacts of the case, to give advice on testing, isolation, symptoms to be aware of, and their level of risk.

“In regard to the Giant Steps school, people at risk of exposure at the school were identified and contacted. There was no need to alert the general public.”

The North Shore Times understands police have been visiting impacted families in isolation, bringing them food and checking their welfare.

Autism Awareness Australia CEO Nicole Rogerson last week told The Daily Telegraph the outbreak at the school was highly concerning.

“My heart goes out to the families involved,” she said.