15 March 2021

Dear colleagues,

Just a quick update in relation to ongoing work being done in relation to recent cases of coronavirus and links to a healthcare worker.

At this time, the Chief Health Officer declaration of restricted areas remains in place – including the City of Brisbane and Moreton Bay Region. This means the continuation of the moderate risk escalation stance as detailed in the Pandemic Response Guidance – Personal protective equipment in Healthcare delivery.

So, visitor restrictions and the wearing of surgical masks and protective eyewear when required will remain with us for the next day or three.

Within Metro North we have been supporting one of our hotels to review the cases, have staff tested and isolated and follow up as required. Events like these have a significant impact on hotel guests, quarantine hotel staff and all of the supporting businesses and organisations involved.

Similarly, Metro South is working hard to ensure the containment of the risk in the health service and in the community. We wish our colleagues the very best at this difficult time and look forward to learning from their experience.

The management of the situation is a huge undertaking, and I am sure that you are all supportive and hopeful of a good outcome.

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 15 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.