More than 50 university students who are possible close or household contacts in the latest Delta outbreak have been moved to quarantine in a Brisbane CBD private student accommodation provider, catching other building residents off guard.
Key points:
- 53 students have been moved into Student One in Wharf Street to quarantine
- Another 12 students already living there are likewise now in quarantine
- Other building residents say they were not informed about the arrangement
Several residents in the 38-storey Student One complex in Wharf Street were worried there was not enough security to stop people coming and going.
They also raised concerns about whether there was enough ventilation to prevent the possible spread of the highly infectious COVID-19 variant.
A spokesperson for University of Queensland (UQ) said 180 students living in the residential colleges on campus have been directed to quarantine and 97 have been supported to relocate to self-contained accommodation.
Of them, 53 have been relocated to self-contained units in Student One.
A further 12 students who normally reside at Student One are also under quarantine orders.
"The students are possible close or household contacts, and will be regularly tested and managed in line with Queensland Health protocols throughout the quarantine period," the spokesperson said.
'We haven't been notified'
Grady Howard, a student and resident in the building, said he first heard about the students being moved in from friends who are students at UQ's residential colleges.
Supplied: Grady Howard
)Mr Howard was sympathetic to the students needing somewhere to stay, but said answers from the building management were not forthcoming.
"It's not right that they've hidden it from us for so long," he said.
"We haven't been notified about it one bit."
Mr Howard was concerned that the building was not equipped for infection control, given the virus had broken out from hotel quarantine.
He was also worried about the impact on the building's casual and part-time workers.
"If I'm made a contact, that's 14 days I can't work," he said.
"I won't be able to afford food or rent."
Rick Phillips' teenage daughter lives in the Student One building and he said he was "bitterly disappointed" at the handling of the situation, particularly because his daughter had been unable to get vaccinated.
Mr Phillips said he was told there were no contacts isolating on the same floor as his daughter, but he had concerns about the central air-conditioning system.
"There's been a rumour for the last three days going around Student One that they had moved students from UQ into Student One, and they would not acknowledge whether this was a fact or not," he said.
Mr Phillips said he questioned Student One about whether they were hiring any more security but was told the individuals had given assurances they would not leave their rooms.
"There's a mix of apartments on each floor ... they're checking the key card once a day on the door.
"There's nothing to stop any of those people under self-isolation — apart from the fact they've signed a piece of paper saying they won't do it — from going out in the common areas, down the fire escape or in the lift, down to do their washing or down the front to get a cup of coffee or going for a walk.
"I believe there needs to be protocols and assurances in place that these companies that are taking on students for self-isolation have the ability, the protocols and the security in place to ensure the safety of the other residents, the permanent residents."
Quarantining students to be 'regularly tested'
An email sent to students on Thursday evening outlines safety measures Student One has implemented during south-east Queensland's lockdown.
Residents have been told to stay in their own rooms, wear a mask when in common areas and stay 1.5 metres away from other residents.
"To help the broader student community, a small number of students who lived in communal accommodation have moved into Student One Wharf Street recently," the email said.
"These students are also identified possible close contacts and are in self-isolation in Studio apartments under the direction of Queensland Health.
"They are also required to strictly adhere to Department of Health guidelines which require them stay in their apartments for the duration of their stay."
The students are receiving no-contact meal deliveries, virtual events and follow-up calls to check on student's wellbeing.
Student One chief executive Tim Weston said the students are under the direction of Queensland Health and will be tested regularly.
"This is a very worrying time for all, especially those who are in quarantine who are doing the right thing and following the rules to keep the rest of us safe," he said.
"The students in quarantine are under the direction of Queensland Health and will be regularly tested."
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2021-08-06 04:16:37Z
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