Dear colleagues,

There were no new cases of COVID-19 recorded overnight in Queensland. This is great news particularly given there was a further increase in the number of people presenting for tests. An additional 1518 people received tests from our Metro North fever clinics in the last 24 hours.

Border closures

It was announced yesterday that the Queensland borders will close to the entirety of ACT and NSW from 1:00am Saturday 8 August. Details on specific border community pass arrangements with limited exemptions and the need for proof of identification are being finalised.

I know this change will impact many of you, particularly those over the border or with family interstate (including me), so we will keep you updated as soon as new information becomes available.

Mask guidance 

We have all seen the graduated introduction of targeted and then global wearing of masks in the southern Australian States (and in other countries). I know that many of you are wondering when this might happen in Queensland. Please be assured that there is an expert team working on determining the triggers for changes to the recommendation for wearing of masks in our clinical settings, in crowded areas and more globally.

With the current low level of COVID-19 in our community, wearing of masks is not recommended other than as per our transmission-based precaution policies and procedures.

Please stay alert and ready for changes. In the meantime, wash your hands, pay attention to physical distancing and stay at home if you are sick (after your test, of course).

COVID-19 testing documentation 

All facility EOCs received documentation today to reflect the latest testing changes in accordance with Public Health Alert 17. These resources can also be found on our extranet page under Clinician Resources. Please ensure all documentation is forwarded to relevant areas.

I would also like to remind you of the new COVID-19 signage delivered over the weekend. You can find all the updated collateral in the poster library on the extranet, including useful posters on social distancing in lifts and enclosed spaces and COVID safe behaviour in the workplace.

Alanna will be joining you tomorrow and for the next two weeks. I will be taking a short break to work with Pathology Queensland – I am sure the great team at PQ will keep me on my toes.

As I reflect on the past week or so, I want to say thank you for all of your hard work, enthusiasm and capacity to smile! I am so proud to be part of your team. You are always ready and willing to respond and I am confident that our plans have put us in a great position to rise to any challenge that COVID-19 delivers.

Kind regards,

Dr Elizabeth Rushbrook
Metro North Incident Commander

Metro North HHS – Overview of Cases*

*With effect 06 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.