COVID-19 update 324 | 16/01/2022
Dear colleagues,
- Omicron peak
- Norfolk Island
- Vaccination boosters
- Vaccination for children aged 5-11
Today there are 17,445 reported new cases of COVID-19 in Queensland.
Omicron peak
Please rest assured that as we approach the expected Omicron peak in Queensland in the coming weeks, we have systems and measures in place to ensure we can manage the increased pressure on our health system. This may include sharing the load with our private facility counterparts if required. We have been fortunate to have almost two years to plan for this peak and are well prepared to handle an increase in COVID-positive patients requiring healthcare.
At present furloughed and COVID-positive staff numbers are stable, however we ask that staff who test positive or are close contacts of a positive case inform their line manager as soon as possible to ensure services can be planned for and maintained.
Norfolk Island
The small community on Norfolk Island are currently experiencing their first COVID-19 outbreak. Thank you to the team from Metro North who are currently assisting with the Island’s response.
Vaccination boosters
We are continuing to see severe illness in people who have only received one or two doses of their COVID-19 vaccine. If you are yet to receive your booster vaccine, please take this as a timely reminder to do so as soon as you are eligible. Evidence shows that boosters are important to reduce the length and severity of disease.
Anyone who had their second dose of COVID vaccine at least four months ago is eligible for a booster. These are available at all Metro North adult vaccination clinics, as well as some GPs and pharmacies. If you have had a COVID infection, you can get your booster once your symptoms resolve. You can wait up to six months but there is no benefit in waiting.
Vaccination for children aged 5-11
In addition to the Kippa Ring clinic, a vaccination clinic for children aged 5-11 is also being held at the Caboolture Square Community Clinic. It is open to today, Sunday 16 January until 3:30pm, and Tuesday 18 January between 8:20am-3:30pm. Bookings and walk-in appointments are available. For more information, visit https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/protect-yourself-others/covid-19-vaccine/book/vaccination-locations
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our health service and community.
Kind regards,
Jason Brown
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 | Total^ | |||||
| ICU not ventilated | ICU ventilated | ||||||
| 123 | 3 | 4 | 684 | 6 | 6 | 1542 | |
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 | ||||||
| – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
*As at the above date
**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.
**** 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. Please note that updated data for Norfolk Island is not available today due to the current focus on the tsunami. Data will be updated tomorrow.