Acute Respiratory Illness Response
Message from the Metro North Health Incident Controller – COVID-19 & Influenza update 419 | 8/07/2022
Dear colleagues,
Today Metro North has Metro North is currently caring for 838 patients with COVID as inpatients and in the Virtual Ward. Additionally, we currently have 19 inpatients with influenza.
Today there are 683 staff unable to be at work due to either being COVID positive or requiring isolation due to being a close contact. There are 100 staff who have returned under the critically essential worker arrangements.
We are still waiting for information about the eligibility and roll out of the 4th COVID vaccine dose. There are still a lot of staff who haven’t let us know you’ve had your 3rd dose. If you have, please upload details to the Queensland Health vaccine hub. You can get your third dose, or fourth if you’re eligible, from a GP or pharmacy.
We have had a lot of vaccination questions in the vidcasts this week. Dr Krispin Hajkowicz and Madeline Hall, nurse practitioner for the Queensland Adult Specialist Immunisation Service, will host our COVID-19/influenza vidcast at midday on Tuesday.
Please remember your PPE – minimum of P2/N95 and protective eyewear for clinical areas – and your hand hygiene and social distancing.
Some handy resources for your friends and family:
- There are a range of PCR testing providers listed on the Queensland Government website.
- Non-urgent respiratory treatment is available through GP Respiratory Clinics.
Mark Butterworth will be Incident Controller next week until Louise O’Riordan returns.
Thank you and have a good weekend.
Regards,
Alanna Geary
Metro North Health Incident Controller