Dear Colleagues,

We are still seeing record numbers of people presenting for testing in Metro North, with 1392 people tested in the last 24 hours. Well done and thank you to our dedicated staff in our fever clinics who have risen to the challenge. We are so incredibly proud of all our staff in Metro North.  Keep up the amazing work!

Latest Update

Despite consistently high numbers of tests, Queensland has recorded no new positive COVID-19 cases overnight. This is a hopeful sign, but it is too early to tell the outcome of our response. The coming week will be telling, so it is important we stay alert and committed to the Metro North Mantra.

Update to Testing

We have had an incredible response from the community who have listened to our advice and have come forward to get tested. While this is great, it has stretched our capacity to process tests in a timely manner. In order to proactively manage this, Queensland Government has released Public Health Alert 17 this afternoon stating that the current focus of testing is for symptomatic and the contacts of confirmed or suspect cases. This means we will resume our focus on essential testing, and testing of people without symptoms will not be required.

Relevant documentation will be sent through to facility EOCs as soon as possible.

Residential Aged Care Facilities 

Over the weekend we told you that all 105 residents of Bolton Clarke Residential Aged Care Facility returned negative results. Overnight, all 86 staff at the facility who have been tested by Metro North also returned negative results. This is the best possible outcome for our Metro North community and an enormous relief for all staff, residents and their family.

Metro North Mantra

It is important we keep our Metro North Mantra front of mind for your safety and others. Here it is:

• Physically/socially distance where possible.
• Excellent hand hygiene INCLUDING sanitising at every entrance and exit to our hospitals.
• If you’re sick, GET TESTED AND STAY HOME – do not come to work, your line manager will send you home if you are unwell.
• Avoid crowded places or transit quickly through high foot traffic areas if they can’t be avoided.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, dispose of the tissue immediately, and wash your hands.
• Do not travel to identified COVID-19 hotspots and avoid anything other than vital interstate travel.

Follow all health directives and restrictions imposed by the Premier and Queensland Health.

Wellbeing during this time 

Taking care of yourself looks different for everyone. While professional support is available, there are also a number of initiatives happening across Metro North. Team Royal are seeking auditions for RBWH has got talent (get yours in by contacting RBWH-CC-secretariat@health.qld.gov.au), TPCH is hosting an EKKA strawberry ice cream stall for staff next Thursday, Redcliffe has opened nominations for their Staff Excellence Awards and Caboolture has a new stop for coffee in the Common Ground Coffee cart, soon to be opened near the new temporary main entrance. For all of Metro North, the Research Excellence Awards are also coming up, giving us a chance to nominate and reward outstanding achievements in research.

So, dob in your department for a song and dance, nominate your amazing colleague and take some time to grab a cuppa or an ice cream.  Please get involved in your local activities and those of Metro North. It will help keep us all focussed, while still being able to enjoy all that is wonderful about our HHS!

So on a happy note remember, “Let your smile change the world, but don’t let the world change your smile!”

Stay tuned and take care. Liz is in the EOC for the next few days and will keep you up to date. You will hear from me again on the weekend.

Take care of yourselves, your colleagues and your families.

Kind regards,

Alanna Geary
Metro North Incident Commander

Metro North HHS – Overview of Cases*

*With effect 04 August 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.