COVID-19 update 309 | 02/01/2022

Michele Gardner  
Metro North Health Incident Controller

Dear colleagues

There are 3,587 new cases of COVID-19 in Queensland in the last 24 hours, and 16,688 active cases. As of 1am today, face masks are now required in all indoor settings except for the home to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

There has been a lot of work happening across the weekend with many of our staff returning from leave early to further assist with COVID-19 care across Metro North, in both our hospitals and virtual ward. Our colleagues at CSDS have stood-up a GP fit-testing service where they have seen hundreds of GPs, which will ease the strain on our hospitals.

We are also supporting our colleagues on Norfolk Island, in line with our partnership, following confirmation of eight cases of COVID-19.

With a rising number of cases each day, I’d like to remind everyone that the Queensland Health website remains the best source of information. The ‘I have COVID-19’ page provides details on the various pathways for care, including home care and virtual ward, depending on the level of medical care required. Currently confirmed cases and close contacts need to immediately get tested and isolate for seven days.

Some of our staff have been affected by COVID-19 and we need to be mindful of further casual and close contacts in the workplace. It is important for this reason that you always:

• Check-in when attending your workplace, if you are required to physically be on-site;
• Discuss a work-from-home arrangement with your line manager if you do not need to physically attend our facilities to work noting we will reassess this next week;
• Ensure you use dedicated staff entry points when on-site, swiping in each time;
• Arrive at work wearing your mask, ensuring appropriate PPE is utilised at all times;
• Regularly check the exposure sites list for outbreaks, as you may be exposed to COVID-19 outside the workplace;
• Get your COVID-19 booster shot if you are due for this.

Additional information for healthcare staff specifically regarding COVID-19 infection is expected shortly and we’ll be able to update you as soon as we have this detail.

Kind regards,

Michele Gardner

Metro North Health Incident Controller

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Current Metro North Health tier activated – Tier 3

Helpful links

• Upload evidence of your vaccine
• Qld Health contact tracing list
• Register for your vaccine
• Qld Health general COVID-19 page
• Metro North COVID-19 extranet
• COVID vidcast recordings on QHEPS

Metro North HHS – overview of cases*

*As at 04/01/2022

**Metro North Health has four recorded deaths (one person a return traveller into NSW, who passed away in NSW)

*** These numbers reflect the cases being managed by Metro North Health.