Source: ABC
By state political reporter Allyson Horn
Queensland has recorded eight new cases of coronavirus suspected to be linked to existing clusters.
Key points:
Five cases relate to the Wacol cluster, three to the Ipswich hospital
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the higher number of cases was concerning
Queensland now has 29 active COVID-19 cases
Five of the cases are from the same family, in the same household, and relate to the cluster at the Queensland Correctional Services training academy at Wacol in Brisbane's west.
Queensland COVID-19 snapshot:
Confirmed cases so far: 1,142
Deaths: 6
Tests conducted: 971,209
Active cases: 29
A further three of those cases are linked to a cluster at the Ipswich Hospital, including two healthcare workers already in quarantine and one of their children.
The ABC understands the child is a year 11 student at St Edmund's College.
The Catholic boys' school in Ipswich has closed for cleaning and contact tracing, and all parents have been contacted.
The Principal of St Edmunds College in Ipswich, Ray Celegato, said the school was likely to be closed until next week.
"We were advised yesterday that he was positive and so Queensland Health then asked us to shut down for 48 hours," Mr Celegato said.
"One of the things that we have been certainly aware of is the need for deep cleaning, and so we will be likely to be closed until next week to ensure that the school is thoroughly deep cleaned."
He said the year 11 student had only been at the campus for exams.
"Those students who are likely to have been exposed will be contacted and be given the opportunity for testing." Mr Celegato said.
Image source: ABC
"[Queensland Health is] comfortable with the fact that the risk of exposure was low.
"We are concerned about our young man but we certainly know that he's being looked after and we wish him and his family all the best over the next few weeks."
He confirmed other schools in the area taught siblings of St Edmund's College students and they had been informed of the case.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the high number of cases was concerning, but urged Queenslanders not be alarmed.
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"From the outset I want to assure Queenslanders that although that number is our highest daily tally for some time, each of those people diagnosed is related to existing cases," she said.
"This is not a time for alarm, this is a time for thanks that our testing system is so professional and Queenslanders are so vigilant, and that we've had remarkable success in containing this virus."
This Ipswich school has been closed for at least 48 hours.(ABC News: Talissa Siganto)
Health Minister Steven Miles said contact tracers had been working through the night to identify new locations where the positive infections had visited.
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Mr Miles said Queensland Health was expected to provide updates throughout the day.
The state now has 29 active COVID-19 cases.
More than 12,000 tests were performed in the past 24 hours.
Ms Palaszczuk called on Queenslanders to continue to get tested to stop any spread of the virus in the community.
"I urge everybody to remember to practice social distancing because we are not out of the woods yet," she said.
"But, if we stick together we will get through this together."
Queensland Health will have updates on contact tracing throughout the day.
Yesterday, there was one new case of coronavirus recorded in hotel quarantine.
Days since the last reported case of COVID-19
NSW
0
QLD
0
VIC
0
WA
0
SA
3
TAS
28
NT
38
ACT
61
Last updated 12:48 PM AEST on Wednesday, September 9