Parents livid at test veto
Ill principal refused COVID-19 check
SOME parents at Ashmore State School are furious their principal was ineligible for testing for COVID-19, despite displaying flu-like symptoms.
Parents received an email this week from unwell and absent principal Karen Brown explaining she had a sore throat and other flu/cold symptoms. Mrs Brown presented to the fever clinic at the Gold Coast University Hospital on advice from 13 Health, but said she was deemed “ineligible for testing for COVID-19 as I did not fall into any of the high-risk groups”.
“They also affirmed that I probably have a common cold or other flu-like condition and recommend contact with my GP and self-care at home until all symptoms subside,” she said.
One parent told the Bulletin: “The fact that she had the exact symptoms and was still found to be ineligible for testing for COVID-19 as she did not fall into any of the highrisk groups, such as having been overseas etc, is outrageous given that she’s a school principal.”
Mrs Brown told parents in an email that she was not in isolation and would likely to be cleared to return to work next week.
Queensland Teachers Union boss Kevin Bates said he empathised with parents and understood it was of “very high importance but reality is the priority has to go to people more likely to have the virus. It’s about the government managing the limited resources available”.
The news follows concerns from a Gold Coast mother, Sarah Billings, who started a petition to get her three-yearold daughter Halo tested for the virus, after she was diagnosed with an unknown viral illness that has caused respiratory distress. Despite displaying all the symptoms and visiting the emergency room twice after travelling on domestic flights 13 days ago she is yet to be tested.
“I understand there are strict protocols in place right now because the whole world needs these test kits, but how can someone who has symptoms in every single category not be tested for the virus?
“I am at a loss to why there is no room for exceptions.”
The family has since selfisolated at home after Halo was released from hospital.
A Queensland Health spokesman said they were unable to comment on individual cases due to patient confidentiality.
FOR 28 years, Steve Gleeson has driven tourists around Australia. Not once did he think his job would become a high-risk situation.
The Greyhound Australia bus driver from Southport dropped off two tourists yesterday and will deliver an expected two more today.
With airlines suspending and grounding international flights, it is likely these few remaining tourists could be some of our last for a while.
“The tourists are domestic and international backpackers. A lot of them are from England and Germany,” Mr Gleeson said.
“They are headed to various destinations but usually to the eastern seaboard hot spots like Byron Bay, Noosa, Rainbow and Airlie.
“The bus left Brisbane (yesterday) morning and is heading for Sydney.”
Mr Gleeson departed Brisbane about 6.30am and arrived in Surfers Paradise at 7.45am.
He would spend the next nine to 12 hours dropping tourists off at destinations before turning around at Sydney.
“I’m absolutely worried about (coronavirus) infection,” he said.
“I have teenage sons with underlying health issues.”
He said work has picked up over the past couple of days due to flights being reduced across the country.
Mr Gleeson said he had always loved being a bus driver because “I enjoy helping people see some of the wonderful places Australia has to offer”.