4 February 2021

Dear colleagues,

We currently have NIL cases of coronavirus under our care.  We do, however, continue to support the safe arrival of international and domestic travellers, provide 24/7 support to the hotel quarantine program, and have a highly responsive, provide a comprehensive public health service/response and maintain flexible and adaptive testing and acute care service. We are also well into preparations and plans to roll out COVID-19 vaccinations.

There have been some significant changes to our border restrictions and public health alerts this week.

New South Wales. There are currently no restrictions on travellers from New South Wales entering Queensland, with Greater Sydney being declared no longer a hotspot effective Monday.

Western Australia. Parts of Western Australia were declared hotspots last night. This includes 46 Local Government Areas in and around Perth, Kings Park and Rottnest Island.

From 10.30 pm, 31 January 2021 Border Restrictions Direction (No. 22) came into effect. The changes to these directions mean:

• anyone who arrives in Queensland from Metropolitan Perth, Peel or the South West regions of Western Australia from 10.30 pm AEST 31 January 2021 must quarantine in government arranged accommodation at their own expense

• anyone who is already in Queensland from Metropolitan Perth, Peel or the South West regions of Western Australia since 1.00 am AEST 25 January 2021 should get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result
• anyone entering Queensland who has been in any part of Western Australia in the 14 days prior to arriving in Queensland will be required to complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass.

Victoria. Following the announcement of a case of COVID-19 in a staff member in a Victoria quarantine hotel yesterday, the following is recommended:

• anyone who has been in Greater Melbourne since January 29 and arrived into Queensland should get tested – even if you have no symptoms – and isolate until the result is received;
• anyone who has been to a venue of concern (tier 1 exposure site) within Melbourne should get tested and remain isolated for 14 days, regardless of the test result.

More information about Queensland’s Public Health Directions can be found on the Queensland Health website.

As a precaution, we will be restricting visitors to our hospitals, aged care facilities, disability accommodation and other bedded services within Metro North.

I strongly recommend that if you were planning on travel to Melbourne, Victoria that you reconsider your travel plans.

The current situation in Western Australia and Victoria shows how quickly circumstances can change. Please keep up your hand hygiene and physical distancing and wear a mask when you are in a crowded area where you can’t reliably be 1.5 m away from other people. And don’t forget to stay home if you’re unwell and get tested if you have any COVID-19 symptoms.

About COVID-19 Vaccines. I know that many of you are very interested in COVID-19 vaccines.  There is a Grand Rounds Presentation at RBWH on Monday 15^th February “COVID-19 Vaccines – Your Questions Answered”. I will put a link to this session in next week’s message.

Regards,

Dr Liz Rushbrook
Metro North Incident Commander

Metro North HHS – overview of cases*

*With effect 4 February 2021, 1000
**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.