Council urges residents to get tested and self-isolate as new COVID-19 cases emerge

22 August 2020

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding has urged Ipswich residents with flu like symptoms to seek testing and self-isolate within their home.

“There has been an increase in COVID-19 positive cases overnight, mostly as a result of the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre contact.  Case numbers are being reported at seven and are expected to grow,” Mayor Harding said.

“Ipswich City Council is aiding West Moreton Health (WMH) and Queensland Police Service (QPS).

“In the next 12 hours our key focus will be assisting WMH to establish another drive-thru fever clinic.”

Mayor Harding said for a list of testing locations for Ipswich residents please visit https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/stay-informed/testing-and-fever-clinics#map

Mayor Harding said residents should act immediately and follow the new guidelines from the government.

“This morning the Premier and Chief Health Officer have confirmed that there are six new cases of COVID-19 in south east Queensland. They are:

1. Male from Marsden who works at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre in Wacol.

2. Male from Carindale who works at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre in Wacol.

3. Female, wife of man from Carindale.

4. Male from North Ipswich who works at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre in Wacol and works in disability accommodation.

5. Relative of male from North Ipswich who was also in the Ipswich Hospital.

6. Female from Forest Lake who works at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre in Wacol.

Mayor Harding said Queensland Health will be testing all 500 workers and 127 inmates from the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre.

“Due to the cluster around the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre, the following restrictions are in place with effect immediately in Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Scenic Rim, Moreton Bay and Lockyer Valley council areas:

- Gatherings in your home is restricted to 10 people

- Gatherings in parks are restricted to 10 people

- Current restrictions in cafes, restaurants and sporting facilities are to remain the same due to the COVID Safe plans that are in place

- No visitors to all aged care facilities

- No visitors to disability accommodation

- Hospital staff working in Emergency Departments to wear PPE with all patients

- All Ipswich Hospital staff to wear PPE with every patient

“I would like to reiterate the advice from the Chief Health Officer,” Mayor Harding said.

“Please maintain 1.5m social distancing;  please wash hands regularly; if sick, if you have any symptoms, please stay home, self-isolate and get tested

“The list of testing clinics is in the West Moreton Health post below. West Moreton Health are also looking at setting up another pop up testing clinic tomorrow.

“I ask Ipswich residents to strictly follow these restrictions the next two weeks while we await test results. We now have had community transmission in Ipswich.

"This is a first for us. It is very important that we prevent further spread of the virus. The longer the virus is active in our city the more people are at risk and the bigger the impact to local businesses and local jobs.

“Your council is assisting West Moreton Health (along with many other agencies) with locating and setting up pop up clinics and the labour intensive contact tracing.

“I will post more details as Queensland Health releases more information.”

The Chief Health Officer has also issued a new health direction today and these impact Ipswich residents: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/urgent-covid-19-update

The new measures include:

* Gatherings in private homes and public spaces will be restricted to a maximum of 10 people

* Residential aged care and disability accommodation facilities have restrictions on visitors and residents leaving the facility

* Hospitals have been asked to restrict visitors as soon as possible

* Hospital emergency departments, aged care facilities and disability accommodation facilities will use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including face masks and gloves to treat all patients and residents.