Message from the Metro North Health Incident Controller – COVID-19 & Influenza update 434 | 2/08/2022

Dear colleagues,

• Current situation
• Pop up vaccine registration kiosks
• Community RAT distribution
• Useful links

Current situation

We currently have 289 active cases of COVID in our care, including 127 inpatients with 4 in ICU (2 ventilated). Sadly, there have been two deaths. There are 162 patients in the Virtual Ward.

These numbers have significantly reduced since the change in community referral processes last week.

Today 560 staff are away from work due to either being COVID positive or requiring isolation due to being a close contact. This number does not include other types of sick leave. Additionally, 81 close contact staff have been able to return to work as Critical Essential workers.

Metro North is also caring for four people in hospital with influenza.

Metro North remains in Tier 3 of our COVID-19 and Influenza Response Plan.

Pop up vaccine registration kiosks

 If you need help to register your COVID vaccine third and fourth doses, visit a pop up kiosk this week:

• Redcliffe Hospital, Monday-Friday 10am-3pm, Education Centre
• Caboolture Hospital, Monday-Friday 10am-3pm, Library
• Brighton Health Campus, Monday-Wednesday 10am-3pm, Dolphin House
• North Lakes Health Precinct, Thursday-Friday 10am-3pm
• TPCH, Monday-Friday 10am-3pm, Safe Space ground floor
• STARS, Monday-Friday 10am-3pm, Level 3 internal corridor
• RBWH, Monday-Friday 10am-3pm, Level 2 walkway

The kiosks are not providing vaccinations.

Please bring your vaccination evidence with full name, vaccine details and date of vaccinations.  You can download your full COVID-19 digital certificate (not the green tick) or your immunisation history from MyGov or Medicare, a vaccination certificate from a chemist or healthcare provider, or your COVID vaccination appointment card (with both sides).

If you use a different name for your medical records than your work ID, please also bring evidence of name change (eg marriage certificate).

You can also register your additional doses yourself online. The process is the same as recording your first two doses:

• Download your COVID digital certificate from your myGov account
• Go to the COVID-19 Vaccination Hub
• Choose the +Booster Vaccination option
• Add your booster details
• Upload or drag and drop your certificate
• Save

If you’re not sure whether you have already updated your information, you can check under the personal profile section of myHR.

Vaccinations are available from your GP or local pharmacy.

Community RAT distribution

From 1 August 2022, eligible Commonwealth Concession card holders can get free RAT kits at Queensland Health RAT distribution points. In Metro North we are doing this through community health centres:

• Caboolture Community Health Centre, Caboolture Square Shopping Centre, King St Caboolture
• Redcliffe Community Health Centre, 181 Anzac Ave, Kippa-Ring
• North Lakes Health Precinct, 9 Endeavour Blvd, North Lakes
• Chermside Community Health Centre, 490 Hamilton Rd, Chermside
• Pine Rivers Community Health Centre, 568 Gympie Rd, Strathpine
• North West Community Health Centre, 49–59 Corrigan St, Keperra
• Nundah Community Health Centre, 10 Nellie St, Nundah

Useful links

• Find a PCR test provider (including drive through, bulk bill, four-plex) on the Queensland Government website.

• People with respiratory symptoms can make an appointment (often same day) through GP Respiratory Clinics.
• You can find a COVID vaccine provider using the Department of Health COVID Vaccine Clinic Finder website.

Your GP can also provide:

• COVID-19 vaccination
• Referral for COVID-19 and other respiratory virus PCR
• Assessment and management of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses
• Prescription of COVID-19 oral antivirals for eligible COVID-19 positive patients.

Regards,

Louise O’Riordan
Metro North Health Incident Controller