Queensland childcare centre shut down after being visited by someone infected with coronavirus

Childcare centre is forced into urgent closure after being visited four times by someone infected with coronavirus – as a woman in a full hazmat suit and mask inspects the building

• Childcare centre south of Brisbane shut down after infected patient attended
• They attended Early Birds Jimboomba Education and Childcare 4 times recently
• Qld Health working to identify children and staff who were potentially exposed
• Learn more about how to help people impacted by COVID

By Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 06:38 BST, 14 April 2020 | Updated: 06:43 BST, 14 April 2020

A childcare centre has been shut down after a person infected with coronavirus attended four times within the last fortnight.

Families from the Early Birds Jimboomba Education and Childcare in Logan, south of Brisbane have been informed of the temporary closure after the patient attended the centre on April 1, 2, 8 and 9, unaware they had the virus.

While Queensland Health refused to provide more details, Seven News has reported the infected patient was a child.

A woman wearing a full hazmat suit and gas mask was seen inspecting the centre on Tuesday morning.

An inspector dressed in a full hazmat suit and mask outside Early Birds Jimboomba Education and Childcare on Tuesday after the facility was shut down

Queensland Health informed those affected by the centre closure on Saturday.

‘The Metro South Public Health Unit is working closely with the centre to identify all children and staff who were potentially exposed,’ the health service said in a letter to staff, parents and carers. 

‘All staff and children who have been identified as close contacts are required to be in quarantine for 14 days from the last date attended.’ 

A health department spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia it’s unable to comment on individual cases due to patient confidentiality.

‘Anyone identified as a close contact of the identified case has been notified directly to quarantine for 14 days by Queensland Health,’ they added.

Early Birds Jimboomba Education and Childcare took to its Facebook page on Tuesday afternoon to thank the community. 

The patient visited the child care centre (pictured) four times in the last two weeks, unaware they had contracted the virus

‘A very big thank you to everyone who has left so many messages, emails, Facebook posts etc with their kind words of support,’ the post read.

‘How reassuring it is to know we not only have our Jimboomba Community support, but we also have support from outside of our local community too.’

‘The Jimboomba Early Birds family is so grateful and appreciative, especially during this time!’

The childcare facility is across the road from Jimboomba Central shopping centre, which has since reassured the community it wasn’t affected.

The child care centre that was temporary shut down took to social media on Tuesday

‘Firstly, our thoughts are with all affected families / employees and wish for those affected a speedy and safe recovery. Secondly, we wish to confirm that there is no affect to Jimboomba Central,’ centre manager Liz Huig said.

‘Jimboomba Central remains open and trading and have an increased, vigorous and detailed cleaning regime incorporating the disinfection of high touch surfaces in the common area three times per day using a special chemical.’

‘We look forward to welcoming you to the centre and encourage everyone to buy locally, adhering to social distancing protocols, to support our retailers through this distressing time.’

Queensland has 998 confirmed cases of the virus which has claimed 61 lives nationwide. 

Schools across the state will reopen for term two next week for students unable to stay home at home due to working parents.

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