)
Update (2 August 2021): Genomic sequencing has since shown the medical student likely contracted the virus from the Taringa family.
Most of Southeast Queensland will enter a three-day lockown from 4pm today after health authorities reported six new cases linked to the Indooroopilly State High School (ISHS) cluster, including a teacher at another nearby school and a University of Queensland (UQ) medical student.
Click here for a list of exposure sites.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles said applications would be made to the Commonwealth Government for an assistance package similar to what has been seen in other locked-down parts of the country, with expectations for an announcement of the details tomorrow.
The lockdown will apply to the 11 local government areas (LGAs) that more recently have been subject to minor restrictions such as mask wearing requirements - Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Logan City, Redlands, Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Somerset, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and the Gold Coast.
The Deputy Premier said even though the order begins at 4pm, people in those LGAs or who have been in them since 1am today are urged to go home as soon as possible, and follow the stay-at-home orders.
There will be a 10km limit on travel outside the home, but people will only be able to leave to buy essential goods within that radius or for essential work, school, care, or exercise which will be limited to taking place with just one other person from outside the household.
People in these areas have been recommended to stay at home unless they absolutely have to, and not to receive visitors unless it is for care.
"Our message to people in the southeast is is we have been here before, but this time it's different," Miles said.
"We cannot afford to be complacent just because we have done so well so far. We all have to comply with these restrictions.
"All of the governments of Australia now recognise that when dealing with the Delta strain, the only way - the only way - is to go hard and go early. That is what we have been advised to do, that is what the Premier has has instructed that we do."
It has been confirmed that all five family members of the 17-year-old ISHS student reported yesterday have tested positive to COVID-19. The youngest child attends Ironside State School where one of the teachers has tested positive.
"We yesterday put all of the students and staff who attended the high school - the Indooroopilly State High School into 14 days' quarantine. We will be doing the same today with all students and staff who've attended Ironside School," Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young.
"We know that we have another person today who is a medical student at the University of Queensland who is the tutor for that 17-year-old that we announced yesterday...I suspect that that medical student is the index case and has taken it into that household, and then it has spread within that household."
The lockdown will last until 4pm Tuesday unless an extension is made.
Updated at 10:41am AEST on 31 July 2021.
Get our daily business news
Sign up to our free email news updates.
)
)
)
)
)
