New coronavirus restrictions return in Queensland as youth detention centre cluster grows

Six new COVID-19 infections have been linked to a case at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre.

The entry to the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre in Brisbane.

The entry to the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre in Brisbane. Source: AAP

Six additional COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in a burgeoning cluster at Brisbane's youth detention centre, prompting Queensland health authorities to limit indoor and outdoor gatherings.

Queensland reported nine new cases on Saturday, three of which in crew members on cruise ships and the other six connected to the detention centre.

Children at the Wacol centre remain in lockdown and tests continue after a worker was diagnosed on Wednesday.

The 77-year-old Ipswich woman had experienced mild symptoms and continued to work while infectious.
The centre's 127 residents have been in lockdown since Wednesday evening.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Saturday announced that indoor and outdoor gatherings in the state's southeast would immediately be capped at 10 people. There would be a 30-person limit on gatherings elsewhere in the state.

"We're concerned about this (detention centre) cluster because people have been out and about in the community," Ms Palaszczuk told reporters.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks to the media during a press conference in Brisbane, Tuesday, June 30, 2020. The Queensland border will remain closed to Victoria but reopen to other states on July 10. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt) NO ARCHIVING
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk Source: AAP
The centre will not be taking new admissions and all face-to-face visits and court appearances have been cancelled, with all residents and staff present since 8 August to be checked.

Authorities face a nervous wait to to discover if the latest cases are linked to an outbreak triggered by two Logan women who dodged quarantine following a visit to Melbourne in June.

The cases mark Queensland's first locally-acquired transmissions in more than a month.

Queensland chief medical officer Dr Jeannette Young on Saturday said the new cases were residents of Bundamba, Marsden, Carindale, North Ipswich and Forest Lake.
Meanwhile, pressure mounts on the government to relax Queensland's hard border closure amid concerns for the health needs of NSW-Queensland border communities.

"Lives are really being disrupted and you've got to ask why when the medical advice is not saying that is what is needed," Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton told the Nine Network.

Dr Young on Friday denied elimination was the state's COVID-19 strategy.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.

If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

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Published 22 August 2020 8:28am
Updated 22 August 2020 11:30am
Source: AAP, SBS



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