State on high alert as Delta outbreak sparks strict lockdown

More schools have been dragged into a fast-moving southeast Queensland Covid-19 outbreak that has plunged millions into lockdown, with Brisbane Grammar School telling parents a student has tested positive, and another in the city’s west saying it is now a potential exposure site.

Two more prominent Brisbane high schools have become caught up in Queensland’s latest Covid-19 outbreak just hours after parts of southeast Queensland were plunged into the strictest lockdown ever.

Thousands are now in isolation, millions in lockdown and schools have been closed and several of Brisbane’s biggest hospitals on high alert.

After six new local cases of the Delta strain of the virus were announced on Saturday morning, it is understood new cases will be announced on Sunday but the number was unknown last night.

Two prominent Brisbane high schools on Saturday night told parents they had been touched by the outbreak.

Brisbane Grammar School emailed parents saying that a student had tested positive to Covid-19, saying anyone at the BGS Spring Hill campus on July 28, 29 and 30 was ordered into home isolation until further advice was provided directly by Queensland Health authorities.

Meanwhile, St Peters Lutheran College in Indooroopilly also sent out a late email to parents saying the school had been identified by Queensland Health as a potential exposure site.

“They (Queensland Health) have asked for all members of the St Peter’s community to quarantine/isolate in place until further notice,” the email read.

Health authorities will conduct a risk assessment of the situation before providing parents and students with a course of action.

Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young and Deputy Premier Steven Miles at a press conference announcing the lockdown. Picture: Richard Walker

The latest explosion in cases in Brisbane has resulted in children testing positive for the first time and touched high-traffic supermarkets, fast food outlets, TAFE and busy bus routes.

The NRL competition is in limbo and even preparations for the iconic Brisbane Ekka have been put on hold.

The state has moved into “uncharted pandemic waters” with airtight restrictions that demand high school children wear masks and no visitors allowed in homes.

Residents in 11 local government areas, including the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane must not travel more than 10km away from their home.

Leaving home, or travelling further than 10km, is only permitted for four reasons – essential work, buying essential supplies and medical appointments, exercise – within a 10km radium – or carer responsibilities.

Funerals and weddings are restricted to 10 people, while beauty salons and gyms must close.

Infectious disease experts say the Queensland government is going fast and hard in a desperate bid to avoid a NSW-style crisis.

“This cluster is uncharted territory. It’s different. We have a wide range of ages involved, including a teenager and a child and our focus is now on schools,” infectious disease expert Associate Professor Paul Griffin said.

The lockdown is scheduled to end at 4pm Tuesday, but there are fears a longer stint is on the cards.

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young admitted she was expecting an “enormous” amount of exposure sites and more positive cases.

“If I can keep people in restricted areas, I can keep the virus in restricted areas,” she said.

Parents, teachers and students from two Brisbane schools are in 14 days quarantine, The Princess Alexandra Hospital, The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and the University of Queensland have been caught up in the cluster.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital was turning away visitors yesterday before the 4pm lockdown hit.

A student and teacher from Ironside State School have tested positive to Covid-19. Picture: Richard Walker

In the last update from Dr Young it was revealed that six new cases of the highly infectious Delta strain were confirmed. Among the new cases is the young sister of the 17 year old student from Indooroopilly State High School who has also returned a positive test.

Both the high school and Ironside State School, where the younger sibling attends, are closed for two weeks. An Ironside teacher has also tested positive.

The girls’ parents and relatives, as well as a medical student who was tutoring the 17 year old, are among those who tested positive for Covid-19 overnight.

It is believed the schoolgirl was unknowingly infectious in the community for three days from Tuesday, including two days while at school.

Queensland Health on Saturday night released more detail about the seven people linked to the outbreak in Brisbane’s western suburbs.

The seven are two females 10-19 years, a woman 40-49 years, a man 40-49 years, a boy 0-9 years, a woman 30-39 years and another woman 20-29 years.

Prof Griffin said family households are an environment where the virus can take hold and travel around all family members

“This cluster shows the reason why we need to take the tough stance of having no visitors to homes. If the virus is taken into the home it is not going to be good due to prolonged close contact,” he said.

“It is always challenging to know what level of lockdown is needed but in this case it needs to be tough.”

Preparations for the Ekka, due to start on August 7, have been paused. File picture

Deputy Premier Steven Miles warned the Covid situation in Queensland was “different” this time, and urged all Queenslanders to comply with the tough restrictions.

Schools will remain open but only to the students whose parents are essential workers. The same applies to child care centres. Grocery stores will remain open.

RNA chief executive Brendan Christou announced on Saturday afternoon that Queensland Health had advised the RNA to pause preparations for the Ekka for 24 hours.

“Due to the three-day lockdown announced this morning, Queensland Health have advised the RNA to put Ekka preparations on hold for 24 hours.

“This means that all building activity on site, planning and competitions have been paused for 24 hours in line with the measures announced by the Government,” he said.

The Ekka was initially on track to open to the public from August 7 to August 15.

Mr Miles has warned that the length of lockdown would be subject to what develops over the coming days. He said it was the government’s intention for it to be a short lockdown.

He said the government would seek to have a compensation package in place for people impacted by the shutdown.

Dr Young said this was the most restrictive lockdown in Queensland since the start of the pandemic and urged anyone who had since left the relevant local government areas to travel to other parts of Queensland to follow the same lockdown orders.

“For the next three days I need everyone in those 11 LGAs who have been wearing masks to stay home and don’t leave unless it’s absolutely critical,” Dr Young said.

Originally published as State on high alert as Delta outbreak sparks strict lockdown