Lyneham High is now a close contact exposure site. Photo: File.
The ACT’s COVID-19 outbreak has worsened with a Lyneham High school student testing positive for the virus, adding another school to a growing list of exposure sites.
The student is the 10th case in the ACT and more are expected to be announced today.
The email was sent to staff and parents last night advising that the student was infectious at the school from Monday to Thursday last week.
All staff, students and parents who attended the school on those days between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm are considered close contacts and must isolate for 14 days.
School Principal Rob Emanuel informed parents that testing arrangements to support the school community are currently being organised.
The Lyneham High case is the second student to test positive for the virus. A child at Gold Creek School tested positive on Friday.
As well as Lyneham High, the new exposure sites for close contacts include Bus Route 30 from Dickson to Kaleen High School, Al Manoosh Bakery in Mawson, the Instrumental Music Program Rehearsal Room at UC High School in Kaleen, Coffee Guru in the Canberra Centre, and Club Lime at the Canberra International Sports and Aquatic Centre (CISAC) in Belconnen.
READ ALSO:
- UPDATE: ACT Lockdown extends to 2 September, 19 new cases of COVID-19 diagnosed
- Gladys the weakest link as virus exposes the price of failed leadership
- Here is what you are entitled to if you lose work due to Canberra’s lockdown
- Help for businesses hit by lockdown measures
- Pets can help during lockdown, but make sure you take care of them too
- ‘I don’t want anyone to die because of me’: COVID-19 ‘patient zero’ speaks out
Exposure sites for casual contacts now also include Woolworths and KFC in Dickson, St George Bank and Stockade Training Centre in Fyshwick, Civic Square Post Office and David Jones in the Canberra Centre, TLE Electrical & Data supplies and the Coles Express petrol station (Lathlain Street and Wignall Place) in Belconnen, Sushi Island and Supabarn in Casey, and Woolworths in Charnwood.
Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith confirmed the positive case on ABC radio this morning, saying arrangements were being made to prioritise testing for the school community but could not say whether that would be in the form of a pop-up site such as at Gold Creek.
She said more COVID-19 cases were likely to be announced today
“People can expect that we will have a number of new cases to announce today,” she said. “This is to be expected. We’ve had a lot of testing being done.
“This is Delta strain. When one person gets it, their close contacts are likely to spread that infection.”
Ms Stephen-Smith said the ACT was hoping to emulate what the Queensland Government had managed to do with South-East Queensland where every new case was someone in quarantine throughout their whole infectious period.
She said the drive-through Kambah testing site was expected to reopen tomorrow.
Investigations were continuing into the source of the virus in Canberra amid concern that the original Patient Zero has not been identified and may still be in the community.
Loading ...
