{"id":3931,"date":"2020-08-31T08:42:10","date_gmt":"2020-08-30T22:42:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/?p=3931"},"modified":"2020-08-31T08:42:11","modified_gmt":"2020-08-30T22:42:11","slug":"28-aug-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/covid-ic\/28-aug-2020","title":{"rendered":"28 August 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Metro<\/span><\/div>
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Dear colleagues,\u00a0<\/p>\n

Overnight, Queensland recorded an additional\u00a0three\u00a0cases\u00a0related to the Queensland Corrective Services\u00a0Academy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Two of those people live\u00a0on the Gold Coast and the other person lives in Forrest Lake. There are now 15 cases linked to the original Brisbane Youth Detention Centre\u00a0cluster, which takes Queensland\u2019s total number of active cases to 20.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

There is\u00a0work\u00a0to be done to identify the places these people have been\u00a0and their close contacts.\u00a0Please\u00a0stay up to date with the list of venues\u00a0frequently updated\u00a0on the\u00a0Queensland Health website<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

We are prepared to act swiftly if cases emerge in the Metro North catchment\u00a0over the weekend.\u00a0\u00a0The MN EOC will be\u00a0staffed and ready to act if\u00a0necessary\u00a0but we are hopeful that we will have a quieter weekend than last.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Extended restrictions\u00a0to the Gold Coast<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

As of result of these new cases, the\u00a0restrictions<\/a>\u00a0that currently apply to us in Metro North, and other Local Government Areas, will be extended to the Gold Coast\u00a0as of 8am tomorrow.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This means that the Gold Coast area will now be subject to the same\u00a0movement and gathering restrictions<\/a>,\u00a0hospital visitor\u00a0directions<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0extra\u00a0restrictions in\u00a0aged care facilities<\/a>\u00a0and the enhanced use of PPE supplies.\u00a0This may impact some of you who live or spend time in this area, so please familiarise yourself with these requirements.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Thank you for wearing your masks<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

You\u00a0have all\u00a0done an incredible job this week adapting to the universal mask wearing directive. I know it\u2019s been a challenge; it can be uncomfortable at times. We are taking this very precautionary approach because we care about your safety, our patients and visitors and because it\u2019s based on the current expert health advice.\u00a0 While there is an unknown period of community transmission, this protective mechanism is what is required of us all.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rest assured, if this no longer becomes a requirement, we will keep you updated and let you resume snacking freely at your desk. Until then, let\u2019s keep pulling together as a team, and rising to new challenges and ways of working (and eating and drinking) like the champions we are!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

I know a lot of you are finding this difficult, but please remember this is no reason to act with disrespect when engaging with our concierge service. They are volunteering because they care about you and the safety of our workplace.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Even this\u00a0AFL\u00a0footballer is getting in the spirit of mask wearing!\u00a0 Maybe, just maybe,\u00a0if we promote the\u00a0AFL\u00a0we might get the grand final in Queensland!\u00a0 At this rate, everyone may be in masks, including the\u00a0players,\u00a0but it would be nice to at least host one AFL grand final in our lifetime in Queensland.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A\u00a0special\u00a0vidcast<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0will be hosted on Tuesday\u00a0at 11am\u00a0with\u00a0our\u00a0Metro North\u00a0Infection\u00a0Control,\u00a0Assistant Nursing Director –\u00a0Catherine Watson\u00a0and an experienced mask wearer\u00a0Anna Dunne,\u00a0Acting Nurse Manager \u2013 Operating Theatres RBWH,\u00a0who\u00a0will\u00a0take you through some practical tips and tricks to make the experience a little more\u00a0comfortable. People with glasses, tune in! I know I will be.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Wait time for test results<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

We\u00a0continue to experience\u00a0delays in response to\u00a0high volumes of testing.\u00a0As we go into the weekend, keep in mind that if you or your loved ones\u00a0require\u00a0a test, it\u00a0is currently taking 2-3\u00a0days\u00a0to get the\u00a0result,\u00a0depending\u00a0on the provider.\u00a0The incredible\u00a0staff\u00a0are\u00a0working around the clock to\u00a0return\u00a0test results around as quickly as possible.\u00a0What a job they have on their hands!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Managing onsite numbers<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

As much as possible we are trying to reduce the numbers of staff who are in office\u00a0spaces.\u00a0 Where staff are in a shared office it is recommended that\u00a0we reduce this number to approximately 50%. This means that if it is possible for staff to work effectively at home,\u00a0then please\u00a0discuss with\u00a0your line manager.\u00a0\u00a0The decisions will be very much made on what works best as a team and every work unit is different\u00a0so will need to be considered individually.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Public\u00a0information for visitors to Metro North facilities<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Information\u00a0about\u00a0the latest visitor restrictions is\u00a0updated to the\u00a0Metro North website<\/a>\u00a0and all\u00a0facility\u00a0home pages<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0visitor information\u00a0pages<\/a>\u00a0(RBWH linked as an example). Switchboard staff are provided with resources to answer questions on\u00a0visitor restrictions, in line with the current advice.\u00a0In addition to this, posters are distributed with the current advice for visitors.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Our facilities are accepting some special exemptions for visitors at the discretion of the Executive Director. Thank you to the treating teams who have been working compassionately with our patients and their loved ones to progress these requests through to your EOCs. You are doing such a great job navigating these complex situations.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Advice if you visited\u00a0the same\u00a0site\u00a0as a positive case<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

This has been a recurring theme in our\u00a0vidcasts\u00a0this week, so let me provide some extra clarification.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you have visited any of\u00a0the\u00a0listed\u00a0locations<\/a>, you are required to stay alert and monitor your symptoms. If you become unwell, or you are considered a direct contact and contacted by the Public Health Unit, you must come forward for testing. If you are not unwell, you\u00a0can continue your\u00a0normal\u00a0activities, but\u00a0please\u00a0remain alert to any symptoms.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Students in Emergency Departments<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

By mid-next week we hope to review the restrictions regarding students\u00a0in Emergency Departments.\u00a0Currently, students are not permitted in our\u00a0EDs\u00a0and in community-based home care.\u00a0We are meeting daily\u00a0as\u00a0a MN\u00a0Executive\u00a0so\u00a0that we can be agile and review these decisions.\u00a0 As soon\u00a0as\u00a0we can, we will\u00a0be assisting students to be back in these very important areas.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What to do if a member of your household is tested<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Earlier in the week, we were erring on the side of caution\u00a0about what you should do\u00a0if a member of your household\u00a0was tested.\u00a0As a result of\u00a0the low level of community transmission linked to the current\u00a0cluster, it is\u00a0currently\u00a0deemed\u00a0safe and appropriate to come to work,\u00a0as long as\u00a0you are not symptomatic.\u00a0If you are of course symptomatic, please stay home and get tested.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

COVID-19 related leave provisions<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

There were\u00a0a number\u00a0of\u00a0questions on this morning\u2019s\u00a0vidcast\u00a0around COVID-19 related leave.\u00a0<\/p>\n

To answer one of the\u00a0key questions, if\u00a0you are waiting for your result, please apply for special leave. If your test\u00a0comes\u00a0back negative but you are still\u00a0unwell, please use normal sick leave. The\u00a0COVID-19 leave provisions<\/a>\u00a0document is your go-to for all leave related questions. This is being constantly reviewed and updated.<\/p>\n

Support your local concierge service<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Our facilities are doing a phenomenal job of supporting concierge services to guide staff, patients and visitors with new restrictions, and registration requirements.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you have capacity, I encourage you to volunteer with your local concierge team. Check in with your line manager to see how you can help. It really is a great way of learning more about the people we help in our\u00a0community and\u00a0getting a greater appreciation for the awesome work we do. Plus, you get the chance to put a smile (hidden behind a mask) on a patient\u2019s\u00a0or visitor\u2019s\u00a0face. There\u2019s no better feeling!\u00a0<\/p>\n

Change to\u00a0vidcasts\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Our\u00a0vidcasts\u00a0will be at the same time over the weekend\u00a0(11am \u2013 12md)\u00a0and updated online each day.\u00a0Check\u00a0in over the weekend if you are at work.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

As of next week,\u00a0our\u00a0regular\u00a0vidcasts\u00a0will be reduced to\u00a0Monday, Wednesday and Friday\u00a0only. The\u00a0vidcasts\u00a0will be with the Chief Executive and\/or the Chief Operating Officer and the Incident Commander.\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t forget about our special mask wearing\u00a0vidcast\u00a0on Tuesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Please!\u00a0Stay home if you\u2019re unwell\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

As we head into the weekend, I really cannot stress this enough. If you are unwell, with any symptoms, no matter how mild, please get stay home and only leave home if you are getting a test.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a shift in how many of us think and act. It\u2019s hard to feel like you may be letting your team down, but trust me on this one, you are not! The best way you can support us as Metro North, your team and your colleagues, is to stay home if you are feeling unwell. Do not solider on. Please\u00a0look after yourself first and in doing that you will be supporting your team members.\u00a0\u00a0Your line manager and your colleagues will support you on this decision.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

A bit of perspective\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

With the news of additional cases, it is important to put\u00a0our situation\u00a0into\u00a0a\u00a0global context.\u00a0While we are seeing\u00a0cases,\u00a0we are in a\u00a0very different\u00a0position\u00a0to other places in the world. Countries in Europe are\u00a0still recording\u00a0very\u00a0high numbers of positive cases\u00a0every single day, as well as the US and UK.\u00a0Just know, we are doing such a great job! The steps we have taken, while difficult,\u00a0are saving lives\u00a0and have saved lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For those of you with a weekend ahead of you, please enjoy. I know I will.\u00a0Thank you for\u00a0being part of this phenomenal team. We are 22, 000 people strong! What a force we are\u00a0\u2013 there\u2019s nothing that will stand in our way.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kind regards,
Alanna Geary
Metro North Incident Commander<\/p>\n

Metro North HHS \u2013 Overview of Cases*<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

HHS<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Patients being managed by HHS<\/strong><\/td>\nFEVER Clinics<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total\u00a0In-patients<\/strong><\/td>\n\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Virtual Ward \/ HITH \/ or similar<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Deaths<\/strong><\/p>\n

**<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Total cases managed by HHS (including recovered)<\/strong><\/p>\n

***<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

#<\/strong><\/p>\n

of clinics<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Presentations<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\u00a0<\/td>\nICU Pts<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

ICU-NOT Ventilated<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

ICU-Ventilated<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Last 24 hrs<\/strong><\/td>\n\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

TOTAL^<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\u202f\u202fMN TOTAL<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n342<\/td>\n5<\/td>\n921<\/td>\n74,761<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*With effect 28 August 2020, 1000<\/p>\n

**Metro North has three\u00a0recorded deaths\u00a0(one person a return traveller into NSW, who passed away in NSW)<\/p>\n

*** These numbers reflect the cases being managed by Metro North.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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