Dear colleagues,

Happy weekend, and what a beautiful day it is to have practiced physical distancing, hand and general hygiene!

Overnight Queensland’s borders were closed to anyone from the greater Sydney region and surrounding areas due to their identification as hot spots. Additionally, we have had one positive case of COVID-19 confirmed today.

Residential Aged Care Facilities

As you will have seen in the news there a positive COVID-19 case that has been identified as a healthcare worker at Bolton Clarke Residential Aged Care Facility. The Aged Care Facility is expertly responding. Metro North Public Health Unit are currently performing contact tracing for the confirmed patient and we have a site team of experts deployed to the facility to support.

For this situation we have activated our highly developed plans to support Residential Aged Care Facilities to protect the residents and staff and it is pleasing that these plans have served us well today. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such a fabulous team that is ready to respond.

I expect that the facilities within Greater Brisbane will be formally determined to be restricted residential aged care facilities soon meaning that entry is highly restricted as per the Aged Care Direction (No. 8).  This will affect almost all of the Residential Aged Care Facilities within Metro North – and I hope you will join me in strongly supporting the residents, staff and families at this time. Our priority is to keep the residents safe and well.

Latest Update

Metro North remains consistent with six active cases in our catchment. Contact tracing has identified locations for West Moreton and Brisbane South in relation to yesterday’s new positive case. If you were at any of these locations during the relevant times, please monitor your symptoms and immediately present for testing.

We tested over 1200 people through our Metro North facilities and fever clinics in the last 24 hours. The high numbers of tests returning low to no positive cases is extremely reassuring that the community transmission in Metro North remains extremely low.

Gaining Control

Again, I remind you to ensure that you are continually checking yourself to ensure you are physically distancing, washing/sanitising your hands and ensuring you are covering coughs and sneezes with your elbow/tissue and washing hands immediately after.

Regardless of where you work or where you live adhering to our Metro North Mantra is crucial in preventing further community transmission – it includes:

• Physically/socially distance where possible.
• Excellent hand hygiene INCLUDING sanitising at every entrance and exit to our hospitals.
• If you’re sick, GET TESTED AND STAY HOME – do not come to work, your line manager will send you home if you are unwell.
• Avoid crowded places or transit quickly through high foot traffic areas if they can’t be avoided.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, dispose of the tissue immediately, and wash your hands.
• Do not travel to identified COVID-19 hotspots and avoid anything other than vital interstate travel.
• Follow all health directives and restrictions imposed by the Premier and Queensland Health.

COVID-19 Facility Signage & Collateral

Our MN EOCs will be happy to know that today we have finalised a suite of COVID-19 collateral and posters that will withstand the changes of the pandemic. This suite will be distributed via MN EOCs with specific instructions for the poster locations by this coming Monday.

Wellbeing during this time

If you’re feeling stressed due to the current COVID-19 situation, please remember there is an abundance of wellbeing resources on our Staff Wellbeing extranet page. Tap into our  COVID-19 staff psychology clinic to destress and debrief if needed. Reach out to any number of RUOK?’ers who are on the ground identifiable by their badges. As always Benestar are available 24/7 for support as well.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and stay safe.

Dr Liz Rushbrook
Metro North Incident Commander

Metro North HHS – Overview of Cases*

*With effect 01 August 2020, 10:00am
**Metro North has three recorded deaths (one person a return traveller into NSW, who passed away in NSW)
*** These numbers reflect the cases being managed by Metro North.