COVID-19 update 354 | 15/02/2022
Dear colleagues,
- Health and wellbeing
- Check In Qld app
- Employee leave options due to COVID-19
- Fit testing
- Your nearest staff PCR and RAT services
- Vaccination boosters
Today there were 5286 reported new COVID cases in Queensland. Of these, 1587 cases recorded today were in school aged children (5-17).
Health and wellbeing
While we may be through the peak in Queensland, our response to COVID may continue for some time to come. This is why it’s important to look after our personal health and wellbeing.
Staff Psychology Open Door sessions are continuing across our facilities and directorates. These interactive group Teams sessions provide an opportunity for staff to take a moment for themselves and have a conversation with colleagues and a Metro North Psychologist to explore coping strategies for wellbeing.
| Session | Date/Times | Teams Link |
| STARS | Monday 2:30 – 3:15pm | Click here to join the meeting |
| CABOOLTURE | Monday 2:30 – 3:15pm | Click here to join the meeting |
| REDCLIFFE | Tuesday 2:30 – 3:15pm | Click here to join the meeting |
| COH | Thursday 2:30 – 3:15pm | Click here to join the meeting |
| TPCH | Thursday 2:30 – 3:15pm | Click here to join the meeting |
| PUBLIC HEALTH | Friday 2:30 – 3:15pm | Click here to join the meeting |
| METRO NORTH * | Friday 2:30 – 3:15pm | Click here to join the meeting |
| RBWH | Thursday 12:30 – 1:15pm | Click here to join the meeting |
The Metro North Culture and Wellbeing team are also delivering weekly 20-minute support sessions for staff. These sessions introduce ideas on how to support yourself and others by building a culture of resilience and wellbeing during challenging times. Make sure you read the Incident Controller messages to get the details on upcoming sessions.
The Staff Wellbeing Portal also has a range of resources and tips for eating well, managing anxiety, money management, parenting and much more. Please take the time to explore this helpful website.
Check In Qld app
Staff and visitors are still required to check in at work with the Check In Qld app, as vaccination is a requirement for entry. There may be some confusion about this with visitors due to some other venues no longer requiring check in, so please politely remind them of the requirement.
Employee leave options due to COVID-19
Please see the Queensland Health leave entitlement flowcharts to determine what type of leave you can access if you are out of the workplace due to COVID-19.
If you are still unsure about your entitlements or need clinical advice about returning to work, please visit the COVID-19 extranet site or call the HR hotline 07 3646 5500.
Fit testing
Metro North Health remains committed to prioritising fit testing for all our frontline staff. Please check the fit testing schedule on the extranet for local information.
If you have any concerns about fit testing, you can submit them via the fit testing feedback portal. Urgent issues should be escalated to your supervisor and local EOC for resolution.
You can record your fit test in TMS by using the add completed course option.
Your nearest staff PCR and RAT services
For the latest opening staff testing hours and locations please visit the Metro North extranet. Please bring your staff ID and Medicare cards.
A full list of alternate COVID-19 testing services open to the public is updated daily and can be found on the Queensland Health fever clinic site. Staff can also visit any of these sites.
Vaccination boosters
The best time to get your booster is now. If you received your second vaccination three or more months ago, your are eligible to get your booster at any of Metro North’s COVID vaccine clinics, or by making an appointment with your GP or local pharmacy.
Don’t forget to register booster by following the instructions on the extranet.
Kind regards,
Mark Butterworth
Metro North Health Incident Controller
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Current Metro North Health tier activated – Tier 3
Helpful links
- Register your positive RAT result
- 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*
| Patients managed by HHS | Fever clinics | ||||||
| Total in-patients | Virtual ward/ HITH/ similar | Deaths** | No. of clinics | Presentations | |||
| Total | ICU patients | Yesterday | |||||
| ICU not ventilated | ICU ventilated | ||||||
| 57 | 6 | 3 | 320 | 35 | 6 | 289 | |
Norfolk Island – overview of cases****
| Patients managed by HHS | Close Contacts in quarantine | ||||||
| Total in-patients | Virtual ward/ HITH/ similar | Total cases including recovered | Deaths | ||||
| Total | ICU patients | ||||||
| ICU not ventilated | ICU ventilated | ||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 94 | 0 | 9 | |
*As at the above date
**Metro North Health has 35 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.
**** As part of an Intergovernmental Agreement, from 1 January 2022 Metro North Health is providing a number of health support services to Norfolk Island. This includes advice and support to staff on island in terms of managing COVID patients. The numbers in this section of the table refer to COVID patients who remain on Norfolk Island and are receiving direct care by staff on Norfolk Island.