Dear colleagues,

Queensland has again recorded two more cases of COVID-19 in Queensland in the last 24 hours, bringing our State’s total of active cases to 30. These cases are also linked to existing known cases which means community transmission remains low. We remain at Response Tier 2 (minus). The ‘minus’ means that we are executing all elements of the Tier 2 response except for the reductions in ‘Service Operations’.

I have some new information I’d like to share with you today.

Extension of class exemption for healthcare workers 

The Chief Health Officer has reissued an updated exemption for healthcare workers which has been extended until 25 September. This approval allows people that live in the NSW border zone to work within Metro North, it does not permit health workers to enter Queensland for any other purpose. Healthcare workers must travel directly to and from their workplace without stopping.

If this applies to you, you need to make sure that when you are entering the Queensland border, you have on you:

• A copy of the memo;and
• Your Metro North identification; and
• Evidence of your identity confirming place of residence (such as a driver’s licence)

You must also complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass (General) and select that you have an exemption from the Chief Health Officer. This border pass will need to be updated every 7 days.

Nine new contact tracing sites

Queensland authorities have issued public health alerts for nine new sites across the state’s south-east under efforts to control a cluster of COVID-19 cases.

More than 80 locations are featured on the online list will continue to be updated as contact tracers gather more information about the movements of active cases. If you were at any of these locations during the outlined times, please keep an eye out for any symptoms you’re experiencing and get tested.

The “noodle of reminder”

Some of you might think you’re good at estimating what 1.5 m looks like, but after walking around some facilities lately I can confirm you are not!! Today I purchased a number of noodles that are exactly 1.52 m long – and I will be making sure my team in the EOC are a noodle away from each other! If someone is standing too close, please politely ask them to stand back so that you can both conform to physical distancing requirements. If you’re too shy to say anything, I cannot recommend these Kmart noodles more, they’re cheap and send a very clear message!!

I will be leaving you and the EOC team with Alanna for the next couple of days, but I will be taking a noodle with me! So, keep an eye out, stay physically distant and thoroughly wash your hands.

Kind regards,
Dr Elizabeth Rushbrook
Metro North Incident Commander

Metro North HHS – Overview of Cases*

*With effect 3 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.