13 March 2021

You would all be aware of a single case of coronavirus within Metro South that is currently subject to a Brisbane-wide response.

At this time, we have been asked to adopt a proactive protective COVID-19 stance in our Health Service for the next 72 hours, until at least 0100 Tuesday 16 March 2021. Accordingly, our Health Service will within a declared restricted area.  This will allow comprehensive contact tracing to be completed in order to keep Queenslanders safe.

Personal protective equipment changes

 The Chief Health Officer has requested that we adopt the Moderate Risk escalation stance as detailed in the Pandemic Response Guidance – Personal protective equipment in Healthcare delivery.  This means that:

• All visitors are to wear a surgical mask
• All non-COVID-19 patients are to wear a surgical mask where tolerated, unless an inpatient in their own bed
• All suspected / probable / confirmed COVID-19 patients (excluding paediatric patients) are to wear a surgical mask where tolerated, unless an inpatient in their own bed
• All Hospital staff undertaking activities other than patient care are to wear a surgical mask
• All Hospital staff undertaking routine care and Aerosol generating procedures of non-COVID-19 patients (within 1.5m) are to wear a surgical mask and protective eyewear
• All Hospital staff undertaking routine care of suspected / probably / confirmed COVID-19 patients are to wear a surgical mask, protective eyewear, gown and gloved
• All Hospital staff undertaking Aerosol generating procedures for suspected / probable / confirmed COVID-19 patients are to wear a P2/N95 respirator, protective eyewear, gown and gloves.

These requirements also apply to outreach and ‘in the home’ services provided to Metro North.

Guidelines for mask wearing are at the end of this message.

Hospital Visitor Restrictions

 In accordance with the requirements of operating within a restricted area, we are enacting the required visitor restrictions in line with the Hospital Visitors Direction (No. 18) which means that visitors to hospital are restricted to the following scenarios:

• One parent or carer of a patient of the hospital who is a child;
• One carer of a patient of the hospital who is being provided pregnancy or maternity related care (NB: up to two may be allowed for emergency or other compassionate grounds on a case-by-case basis);
• One carer of a patient of the hospital who has a disability and requires support from a disability support worker or an informal carer;
• Visitors for a patient of the hospital who is receiving end of life care (up to a limit imposed by the operator of the hospital – generally 2 persons at any one time);
• Visitors to a patient of the hospital for emergency or other compassionate grounds (e.g. intensive care, emergency department) – (up to a limit imposed by the operator of the hospital – generally 1 person per day for approximately 2 hours)

The operator of the hospital (The Executive Director or delegate – e.g. Duty Nurse Manager, Ward NUM), can determine exceptional circumstances where visitors will be allowed.  Any visitors (other than patients of the hospital) are required to register their attendance with the QR code or at the concierge. Staff are required to tap their ID card on entrance into Directorates.

For the next three days we will also restrict attendance of volunteers.

There is no restriction for students attending our hospitals or facilities during this time – although students will be required to comply with all personal protective equipment requirements.

The recommended signage for hospitals includes STOP No Visitors and STOP Restrictions on entry. 

 Residential Aged Care / Disability Care Facility Changes

Similarly, there are now restrictions enacted at Residential Aged Care Facilities in line with the Aged Care Direction (No. 24) and Disability Accommodation Services in line with the Disability Accommodation Services Direction (No. 15)  – this limits attendance at these facilities and requires staff and visitors to wear masks.

I thank you all for your support to implement our calm and measured response.

Regards,

Dr Liz Rushbrook
Metro North Incident Controller

Metro North HHS – overview of cases*

*With effect 13 March 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.

Guidelines for wearing masks

In accordance with the recommendations in the Queensland Health Interim infection prevention and control guidelines for the management of COVID-19 in healthcare settings the following recommendations are to be followed:

• Masks should be changed when they become damaged, soiled or wet.
• Masks should never be reapplied after they have been removed.
• Masks should not be left dangling around the neck.
• Avoid touching/adjusting the front of the mask while wearing it.
• Hand hygiene should be performed upon touching or discarding a used mask.
• Masks need to be removed for eating and drinking and this is permitted, necessary and safe. It is important to limit the duration that the mask is removed to help minimise any potential risk of exposure.
• Staff must practice physical distancing when on meal breaks when mask is not in place.
• Staff must dispose of used masks in waste receptacles as soon as they are removed.