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Parklands Christian College coronavirus case prompts order for staff and students to isolate at home

Parklands Christian College coronavirus case prompts order for staff and students to isolate at home
The director of a private college at the centre of Queensland's coronavirus flare-up voices his frustration as students are ordered to quarantine for a week after a school cleaner tested positive to COVID-19.

Parklands Christian College director Mike Warman says he is frustrated and disappointed to find his school at the centre of Queensland's coronavirus flare-up, which has forced the school to shut down.

Key points:
  • Queensland Health has shut the school until August 6
  • Authorities are contacting every staff member and families
  • College cleaner Olivia Winnie Muranga tested positive on Tuesday

Students have been ordered to quarantine for a week after a cleaner at the college tested positive to COVID-19.

Mr Warman said 127 staff and 734 students at the school in Logan, south of Brisbane, are now stuck at home until August 6, following directions from Queensland Health late last night.

"It's beyond frustration, it's devastating and disappointed that the actions of a few people we couldn't predict or protect against, but we have to manage now," he said.

"Everybody's lives have been turned upside down.

"Whole family units aren't required to isolate, but all students and all staff are required and then, of course, families have to organise their students at home for online learning.

"Numbers of our staff have been tested ... the good news is they're all coming back negative at this point in time."

Selfies of Diana and Olivia.Selfies of Diana and Olivia.
Diana Lasu (L) and Olivia Winnie Muranga (R) are under police investigation after testing positive to coronavirus following their return from Melbourne.(Facebook)

Parklands principal Gary Cully released a statement saying staff have been busily preparing for students to work from home.

"The public health unit is currently working closely with us to manage the situation, and will soon be in contact with every staff member and family," he said in the statement.

"During these extraordinary times our students and their parents have come together in support of our school.

"While this situation represents a considerable disruption to the lives of our families, we collectively support the efforts of the Metro South Public Health Unit."

Stay up-to-date on the coronavirus outbreak

A fever clinic has been set up at the college.

For the second day in a row, hundreds of people have lined up for testing.

Olivia Winnie Muranga, 19, worked at the school as a cleaner in the days before she tested positive to coronavirus.

Police said she had travelled to Melbourne with two friends for a party and did not quarantine on her return to Queensland, allegedly lying on her border declaration forms.

The women have minor symptoms and are under police guard at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Widespread contact tracing and testing is underway at the places the women visited in the region.(ABC News)
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