Pacific Pines State High School issues coronavirus warning to parents

A Gold Coast school has told parents one of its students was on the same flight as the state’s two confirmed coronavirus patients.

A STUDENT at a Gold Coast school travelled on the same flight as the state’s two confirmed Coronavirus patients.

In a notice to parents today Pacific Pines State High School has informed parents that a year 10 student and an adult “in our community” were on the flight.

Authorities yesterday reported that the two infected patients had been passengers on Tiger Airways flight TT566 to the Gold Coast from Melbourne on January 27.

The two infected individuals, a 44-year-old Chinese man and a 42-year-old Chinese woman both remain in a stable condition in isolation at the Gold Coast University Hospital.

In the notice sent to parents school principal Mark Peggrem said the school has been following all advice from public health authorities.

“I thank you for your support to date as we navigate this situation,” Mr Peggrem wrote.

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“Today we received information that a member of our school community a year 10 student and an adult in our community were on that flight.

“In accordance with the established protocol, they are now in isolation purely as a precautionary measure.”

General Practice Gold Coast Chair Dr Katrina McLean urged calm and assured residents that the medical community had all the appropriate resources in place.

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“It is really important that people don’t cancel their regular hospital or GP appointments,” Dr McLean said.

“Our hospitals and clinic are well set up to manage possible cases.”

The key message to residents is to phone doctors ahead first.

“There are strict infection control procedures in place,” she said.

“We have one of the best healthcare systems in the world and our hospitals have been designed for managing infectious diseases while keeping staff and other patients safe.”

Dr McLean said residents should continue to wash their hands, sneeze and cough into their elbows and establish a circle of personal space the width of their outstretched arms.

“Put your arms out and pretend there is a bubble around you,” Dr McLean said.

“Don’t let sick people burst your bubble”