Coronavirus: What happens if a member of your school community is diagnosed?

Gold Coast schools have explained the steps they will take if the coronavirus breaks out among students.

GOLD Coast schools will shut down if a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is found, parents have been told.

At least a dozen schools including Helensvale State High School and Pacific Pines State High School sent a letter to parents clarifying the next steps – if the spread of the virus continues.

“If there is a confirmed case at our school, it is likely our school will need to close for a period to allow Queensland Health to assess the situation and to perform contact tracing as required to identify people and students who may have come in contact with the COVID-19 case,” the pro forma letter read.

“You may have already seen this happening in other states where confirmed cases have been identified.”

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Specialised cleaning services will then take place before staff, students and any out of school care can return.

The Queensland department of education said it continues to follow the advice of Queensland Health.

“Any decision to close a school or early childhood centre is not taken lightly and would be based on advice from the Chief Health Officer, including a full assessment of any risks to the health and welfare of staff, students and children,” the spokesman said.

Online learning material and virtual classrooms have been established in the case of a school closure.