Dear colleagues,

Queensland continues to do a great job in preventing community transmissions with no new COVID-19 cases in the past three days. We continue testing anyone who is sick with COVID symptoms, presenting requesting a test for any reason, and for those at day 10 in quarantine.  We are tightening up our plans and keeping our southern counterparts in NSW and Victoria in our thoughts as they work hard to get their community transmissions under control.

Today’s updates include:

• Further COVID-19 hotspots in NSW
• Complacency is our enemy
• Signage across facilities

COVID-19 hotspots in NSW

Along with local government areas Campbelltown and Liverpool, Fairfield has now been named a hotspot in NSW. Any Queenslanders who visit any of the suburbs within these local government areas will be required to quarantine in hotels for 14 days at their own expense. Please reconsider your need to travel to NSW at all.

Complacency is our enemy

Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk has said her greatest concern is a sense of complacency creeping in from Queenslanders and that complacency is our enemy. Within Queensland, easing of restrictions has been paused, and there is concentration on auditing our compliance with current levels of restrictions.  To keep restrictions at current levels, I cannot overstate the importance of maintaining focus on hand hygiene, physical distancing, avoiding physical greetings and cough/sneeze etiquette.

There is high level continuous monitoring of the community transmissions in NSW with preparedness to act swiftly when required. As a health service we will continue to be responsive to the requirements of the government and the Chief Health Officer’s directions. It is our priority to be prepared to respond decisively if Queensland does experience a second wave.

Our mantra should continue:

• If you’re sick – STAY HOME and get tested. We must be vigilent and always on the lookout for suspect cases;
• Concentrate on physical distancing where you can – avoid crowds, step away, transit quickly through high foot traffic areas if you can’t avoid them;
• Wash your hands frequently (even more frequently than you think) and well, and encourage others too; and
• Cough / sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, disposing of the tissue immediately then washing your hands.

COVID-19 Signage across facilities

Metro North EOC continue to work closely with the facilities to ensure all COVID-19 related signage for staff and visitors is modernised over the coming days and weeks.  Look out for some new signs coming soon to lift wells, meeting rooms and waiting rooms.

Have a great week everyone.

Kind regards,

Dr Elizabeth Rushbrook
Metro North Incident Commander

Metro North HHS – Overview of Cases*

*With effect 27 July 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.