6 August 2021

Dear colleagues,

Today we have seen 10 new cases of COVID-19, all locally acquired and linked to the current Indooroopilly cluster. Promisingly, only two of the 10 cases were infectious in the community and only for a very limited period of time.

This takes the number of cases in the cluster to 89. Given the large number of people involved in this cluster, please make it your mission to check the Queensland Health contact tracing website daily to ensure you have not been to an exposure site at a listed time.

Mask wearing is critical at this time and may continue beyond the lockdown. Please continue to comply with this as well as responding to our Tier 2 requirements of our COVID-19 response plan. These include moderate risk PPE with fever clinic staff and emergency department triage staff wearing N95 masks, limiting movement and using the QR check in codes.

Metro North will remain on Tier 2 over the weekend. A decision will be made on Monday about whether we move tiers on Tuesday, depending on whether the lockdown restrictions are eased on Sunday.

HR update

Working from home arrangements will continue through Monday (inclusive) to avoid confusion over the weekend, regardless of whether the lockdown is lifted on Sunday afternoon.

The COVID-19 lockdown announced on Saturday morning has impacted a number of our staff and has required some to remain away from work in certain circumstances. In particular, this includes staff members with children attending specific school environments identified in the Indooroopilly COVID-19 cluster. Where staff are required to quarantine or isolate and their duties are unable to be undertaken remotely, discretionary special leave will be granted. This includes casual staff.

The decision-making matrix provides details of staff entitlements. This matrix covers a range of scenarios relating to quarantining / isolation (including the school circumstances mentioned above) and should be applied in all circumstances.

If there are any doubts about staff entitlements, please contact your local HR team or the HR hotline. The HR hotline is available over the weekend, Saturday and Sunday 8am-5pm. The number is 3647 2819.

Staff only vaccination bookings next week

With the Brisbane and Moreton Bay Ekka holiday cancellations next week, a reminder that we will be offering additional staff only vaccinations. These will be held at the Kippa Ring clinic on Monday, and at Doomben Racecourse and STARS clinics on Wednesday.

Please ensure you are registered for a vaccine via the Queensland Health website before you book your appointment. You will need to present your Metro North staff ID along with your Medicare card and drivers licence to receive your vaccination. Family members and friends who present with you will not be vaccinated on these days.

Vidcast

Our Acting CE Jackie Hanson and I held a COVID vidcast today. If you weren’t able to tune in live, the recording is available on QHEPS.

Due to the number of questions about the UQ Sciences Building today, a special vidcast will be held on Monday for Metro North staff who work in that building.

Regards,

Louise O’Riordan 
Metro North Incident Controller

Metro North HHS – overview of cases*

*As at 6/08/2021 at 1000
**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.