4pm. We’ll do it all again tomorrow
That’s all from us for today’s #ipswichtogether COVID-19 blog.
Thanks for joining with us as our community continues to journey through the coronavirus pandemic. Together, we will get through this.
See you from 8am tomorrow.
3.33pm. Nurses thanked for all that they do
The tireless work of Australia’s nurses – particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic – has been recognised as part of International Nurses Day.
The virus emergency has created challenges for many, none were tougher than for our world-class health professionals working on the frontline.
Today, 12 May, marks the day one of the founders of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, was born.
Her pioneering work during the Crimean War focused on the importance of sanitation and hygiene including handwashing.
These hygiene principles are now at the heart of Australia’s coronavirus response. There are more than 390,000 nurses registered in Australia.
Local nursing legend, Steph Shannon, is glad there is a day to recognise all that nurses do.
Ms Shannon, who ran the children’s ward at Ipswich Hospital for 37 years, brought many positive changes to paediatric nursing, including allowing parents to stay overnight with their child.
What advice would Ms Shannon give young nurses today as they go about their jobs with the added challenge of protecting patients and themselves from COVID-19?
“Let anxiety sharpen your senses but don’t let it sap your emotional reserves,” she said.
“Instead, direct your energy towards building self-resilience and deepening your humanity towards others, especially those on the margins.
“This attitude has always been the hallmark of West Moreton nurses.”
Read also: Ipswich nursing legend shares her story
3.05pm. Tips on looking after yourself in isolation
Staying at home and not seeing friends and family in person is probably a little different to what you’re used to.
It’s important to do activities that will help you stay mentally healthy and well during this period. Here are four ways to look after yourself at home:
- Spend time doing activities that are good for your well-being. Read a book or try a virtual workout.
- Maintain a healthy routine. Eat well, aim for a good night’s sleep and plan regular catch ups via the phone, email or video chat.
- Seek accurate information.
- Keep up the good hygiene. Even at home, you should wash hands often and thoroughly.
2.15pm. Online festival launches this Friday
A little bit of the wonder and excitement of the Ipswich Show will come to homes across the city this Friday when the Festival of 4 Walls begins.
Festival of 4 Walls is an online festival that will allow audiences to experience, from the safety and comfort of their own home, elements of festivals and events that would have been if not for COVID-19.
It will use technology including augmented reality, live streams, pre-recorded videos and web content to bring key parts of festivals and events direct into people’s homes.
Read more here: Online festival brings the fun into Ipswich lounge rooms
1.30pm. Letter of thanks makes a difference
Ipswich youngster Elliott has taken the time to write a lovely thank you message to the doctors and nurses at West Moreton Health.
Elliott acknowledges all the hard work and preparation health professionals and people at home are doing for COVID-19.
11.50am. Vintage still on trend
The Ipswich Antique Centre has stay opened during the pandemic, but the in-house café has closed.
For the past nine years the Ipswich Antique Centre clothing section has been well patronised by props departments from Warner Brothers, with a reputation as the place to go to find authentic retro and vintage clothing.
Vintage clothing and retro dealer Amanda Herebra has now retired and an opportunity currently exists for a new clothing designer to fill her space at the Ipswich Antique Centre.
Contact http://www.ipswichantiquecentre.com.au/ if you are interested or pop in. They are open Thursday to Monday from 10am until 5pm.
11am. Dog parks re-opened as first step in easing restrictions
Ipswich City Council has re-opened dog parks across the region.
The 21 dedicated off-leash parks and six on-leash parks have had the closed signs taken down and our four-legged friends are free to roam again after more than two months tied up by COVID-19 restrictions.
Division 1 Cr Jacob Madsen said it was the first step as council moved to re-open facilities from this week.
Read the full story here: Dog parks re-opened
10am. Ash Barty challenges you to ‘Boost your Healthy’
Here’s a fun challenge from Ipswich tennis star Ash Barty to help keep you moving during COVID-19.
The challenge is part of Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s Boost your Healthy campaign, which provides support, inspiration and ideas to stay healthy and active at home during COVID-19.
“Looking after our health and wellbeing is always important, especially now with the COVID-19 pandemic and the upcoming flu season,” Health and Wellbeing Queensland said on its Boost your Healthy website.
“And while staying at home more often can make it challenging to be active and eat well, there’s still so much we can be doing.
“In fact, now could be the perfect time to try some fresh new ways to boost your daily dose of healthy.”
Check out Ash Barty’s tennis-inspired challenge below, and visit the website for more fresh ideas to Boost your Healthy.
8am. Tuesday 12 May 2020. No new cases in Queensland
West Moreton has zero active cases of COVID-19.
There are 37 recovered cases in the region with no new ones since the start of April.
State wide there have been 27 more recoveries since Friday and no new cases reported on Monday, reducing the number of active COVID-19 cases to below 20 for the first time since early March.
There are now 18 active cases, 1021 recovered and six deaths for a total of 1045.
Some restrictions will begin to be lifted in Queensland from Saturday 16 May, allowing more travel, more activities and larger gatherings.
Further restrictions are planned to be lifted in June and July, however we need everyone to continue playing their part to protect themselves and the more vulnerable in our community.
Currently, 975 of the 1,045 confirmed cases had recently travelled overseas or had close contact with a confirmed case, such as their partner or flatmate.
A total of 137,009 tests for COVID-19 have been undertaken in Queensland, with 1,204 tests undertaken in the previous 24 hours.
Most Queenslanders who have contracted COVID-19 have experienced mild symptoms.
Currently, seven of the 18 active confirmed cases are in hospital, with three of these in intensive care.
The remainder of active cases are currently recovering at home.
A total of 1,021 Queenslanders (97 per cent of total cases) have now recovered from COVID-19.
Contact tracing continues for recent cases.
