One of two 19-year-old women accused of lying to authorities before returning to Queensland while COVID-19 positive is not cooperating with authorities trying to track her movements while infectious.
Olivia Winnie Muranga and Diana Lasu are the subject of a criminal investigation after allegedly using fake names and lying on declaration forms while flying from virus-stricken Melbourne to Brisbane via Brisbane.
The duo contracted the virus at a party in Melbourne and were infectious while in the community for eight days before authorities became aware.
Police commissioner Katarina Carroll said she was "bitterly disappointed" at their alleged actions, while Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said one is not being forthcoming with her movements, hindering contact tracing in the state.
LIVE: Victorian new cases feared to soar over 700
"I am very disappointed with them at this stage," Commissioner Carroll said today.
"From the beginning of this, we have issued well over 1100 infringement notices and 40 people have made false declarations at our borders.
Commissioner Carroll said the women had been issued with $4000 fines and would front court.
"I have asked the ones issued recently, in particular to these women, the infringement notices to be renewed and for them to actually go before the court with notice to appear," she said.
READ MORE: What to do if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 in Australia
Police will also allege they visited Melbourne to steal luxury goods from high-end stores.
One of the women is a cleaner at Parklands Christian College. The private school in Logan, South of Brisbane, has temporarily closed and deep cleaning is underway.
The 22-year-old sister of one of the women has since tested positive for COVID-19. The woman is an employee of YMCA Chatswood Hills Outside School Hours Care. It remains closed today for deep cleaning.
Queensland health authorities said the two 19 year-olds visited shops, restaurants and workplace in the state's south east over the eight days since their return.
It has also seen a surge in people attending pop-up coronavirus testing stations.
The actions of the two women led to hundreds of people queuing to be tested as authorities race to halt any potential outbreaks linked to the duo.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt told radio 2GB this morning there could be "catastrophic consequences" if people infected with COVID-19 flout self-isolation.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said yesterday she was "furious".
"We had a hard border closure with Victoria and what is extremely disappointing is these two people went to Victoria," Ms Palaszczuk said.
READ MORE: Australia's coronavirus cases by numbers
Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said there was an ongoing criminal investigation.
"Initial investigations indicate there were incorrect details on border declaration passes," Mr Gollschewski said.
"This highlights why you need to declare if you've been to Victoria where there's been a high instance of community transmission."You need to think about those around you – not just yourself."
The women did not self-isolate when they returned on July 21 to Queensland from Melbourne. The returned via Sydney on flights VA 863 and VA 977.They travelled largely around the Springfield and Logan areas after they returned to Brisbane.
You can get up-to-date information from the Federal Government's Coronavirus Australia app, available on the App Store, Google Play and the Government's WhatsApp channel.
Beyond Blue's Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is a 24/7 service free of charge to all Australians. Visit the site here or call 1800 512 348.
from 9News https://ift.tt/339ngE6
via IFTTT
0 Comments