Nurse with coronavirus symptoms referred to Queensland's anti-corruption body

The nurse who continued to work at a Queensland nursing home after showing symptoms of COVID-19 is now in home isolation.

A general view of the North Rockhampton Nursing Centre in Rockhampton, Queensland.

A general view of the North Rockhampton Nursing Centre in Rockhampton, Queensland. Source: AAP

A nurse who continued to show up to work at an aged-care home with symptoms for COVID-19 has been referred to Queensland's anti-corruption body.

The nurse continued working at the North Rockhampton Nursing Centre while she was sick, but before she received test results.

She was suspended while an investigation is underway and is now in home isolation.

However, the health department have also referred her to the Crime and Corruption Commission over an alleged breach of the Chief Health Officer's directions.
A general view of the North Rockhampton Nursing Centre in Rockhampton, Queensland.
A general view of the North Rockhampton Nursing Centre in Rockhampton, Queensland. Source: AAP
"Our focus remains on controlling COVID-19 and reducing its spread and protecting North Rockhampton Nursing Centre residents and staff, and the community, from infection," a department spokesperson said.

"The most important thing is that every single Queenslander knows that if they have symptoms they should get tested immediately and stay at home until the tests are returned."

The department is finalising the terms and references for an external investigation.

Initial tests for all residents and staff were negative.

A second round of tests has also been done, with results so far returning negative.
Two new diagnoses of COVID-19 were confirmed overnight, bringing the number of active cases in the state to 13, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

It means 1060 Queenslanders have caught the virus over the course of the pandemic.

The Premier appeared alongside Lilly Luhrmann, daughter of Australian director Baz Luhrmann and costume designer Catherine Martin, who announced an appeal to support international students.

The teen has partnered with Study Queensland and is calling on businesses and individuals to provide meals, data packages and electronics or other support to students who can't get home.

"I go to Fashion Industries, which is a high school in New York City, so most of my life I've been an international student," the teen told reporters.

"I've been so taken care of and treated well in America with my education and so I really believe that Queensland is going to do the same for their students.

"I think it's a really important cause because they're going to come back and invest in Australia and Queensland and they bring great things to the country."

Mr Luhrmann said he was delighted by his daughter's actions to help others.

"When my daughter read about the issue of international students in Queensland and brought this to my attention and said 'I've got to do something about this, Dad', I think I'm just a proud dad," he said.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.

Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store. SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments.

News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus


Share
3 min read

Published

Updated



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world
Nurse with coronavirus symptoms referred to Queensland's anti-corruption body | SBS News