Queensland's lockdown, initially called for three days, has now been extended until 4pm next Sunday as the state’s COVID-19 case numbers rise to 15 – their highest level in 12 months.
There are now thirteen cases linked to the Indooroopilly State High School cluster, which has impacted Gregory Terrace, Pullvenvale State School, St Peters Lutheran College, Ironside State School, Brisbane Boys Grammar School and Brisbane Girls Grammar School.
Seven of the new cases are linked to students from Ironside State School.
On Saturday, Queensland's Deputy Premier, Steven Miles, announced a lockdown for all schools in the state’s south-east, imposing the toughest restrictions yet for 11 local government areas of concern – all of which have since been declared ‘national hotspots’.
They are Brisbane City, Moreton Bay, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset and Sunshine Coast.
Until 4pm next Sunday, the only reasons that residents in those 11 LGAs can leave their home will be for obtaining essential goods; essential work, school or childcare; exercise with only one person from outside the household; caring for a vulnerable person or seeking medical treatment or a COVID-19 vaccination or test.
The lockdown means students in the impacted LGAs will learn from home until next Monday, 9 August. When schools reopen, all students and staff will be required to wear masks on campus.
Queensland's escalating outbreak comes as NSW recorded one of its worst days of the outbreak yet.
This morning, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced 207 new cases in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. NSW Health has confirmed that up to 118 of those cases were in the community whilst infectious.
The Delta strain outbreak has been declared a National Emergency amid fears the rapid spread of the virus across NSW represents an immediate threat to all other states and territories.