Dear colleagues,

It’s amazing how quickly things can change from week to week, let alone day to day! We have officially scaled back from a Tier 2 (minus) COVID-19 response to Tier 0 as of this morning. We’ve learnt a lot as an organisation by stepping up to Tier 2 and will be well-prepared for whatever comes next. I can’t thank you enough for your compliance and cooperation over the last few weeks. The message outlines some of the changes in our response status and some information that came out of today’s vidcast (online now if you missed it).

Mask wearing

Yesterday Alanna provided an update on the increased PPE levels across Metro North. Mandatory mask wearing in clinical areas is no longer necessary except for standard PPE requirements. If you would like to wear a mask, you must wear one provided by the organisation. This applies to emergency departments and home-based care as well, no extra PPE required on top of your standard precautions.

Visitor restrictions eased

This update was included in yesterday’s message. If you would like some more clarification, please visit the Queensland Health website as we are aligning with their policies. Directorates can enforce their own arrangements if they choose to do so.

Closed entries/ exits

I’m aware of closed and separate entries end exits across different Metro North facilities that were put in place to manage physical distancing and keeping one another safe. Now that we are at a Tier 0 response, the decision to revert to standard entries and exits will be up to the Executive Director of each facility.

COVIDSafe app

The running of concierge desks is no longer a requirement. We are, however, strongly advising staff and visitors to download the COVIDSafe app to help support contact tracing. Precise and efficient contact tracing helps us to detect other possible cases and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

Working from home arrangements

As we are in a Tier 0 response, staff will be to returning to the workplace over the next few days. It remains important to keep our hygiene practices and physically distant. If physical distancing is not possible please discuss options with your line manage to accommodate this.

Emergency Operations Centre activity

Despite dropping to a Tier 0 response, staff in our EOC continue to support and work with the State to manage those entering Queensland. This operation includes taking care of around 2,955 people in hotel quarantine and tending to their complex healthcare needs. The team also continue to stay on top of PPE stock levels, medication stocktakes and ongoing meetings with statewide groups to make sure we continue to keep Queenslanders safe.

Keep doing what you’re doing!

Despite all the changes listed above, it is imperative that you continue to:

• Practice physical distancing, in the workplace, in lifts, in bathrooms, in eating areas
• Regularly washing hands with soap and water

• Wear a mask if you feel you cannot be physically distant, for example on public transport
• Covering coughs and sneezes appropriately
• Stay home and get tested if you are unwell

Self-care September ‘Tea’note speakers!

As part of Self-care September this week, Alanna and I hosted two virtual Afternoon ‘Tea’notes. Our speakers Chelsea Pottenger and Gus Worland shared their experiences in managing wellbeing, both sessions were fantastic. I strongly encourage everyone who missed them to watch them online – they truly were inspiring. The recordings of these sessions will be up for 14 days since the original event. You can find the recordings and more information about the speakers on the Self-care September webpage.

Stepping back to Tier 0 is encouraging but we still need to do the right thing by each other. Make sure you’re checking in with those around you, try sending a text to someone you haven’t heard from in a while and see how they’re going. It’s the little things that can make all the difference. I took a few nice photos today as I was cycling into work – I’m fortunate enough to have a lovely commute that crosses two creeks! Here’s Kedron Brook and Enoggera Creek. If you can make time and circumstances allow, I can highly recommend an outdoor commute!!

I’m sure you’re all looking forward to the weekend! I will sign off now and you will hear from me again as IC on Monday.

Kind regards,

Mark Butterworth

Metro North Incident Controller

Metro North HHS – Overview of Cases*

HHS	Patients being managed by HHS						FEVER Clinics
	Total In-patients			Virtual Ward / HITH / or similar	Deaths **	Total cases managed by HHS (including recovered) ***	# of clinics	Presentations
		ICU Pts
		ICU-NOT Ventilated	ICU-Ventilated					Last 24 hrs	TOTAL^
MN TOTAL	0	0	0	1	3	343	5	381	90,898

*With effect 25 September 2020, 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.