4pm. That’s a wrap
That’s all from us today for the #ipswichtogether COVID-19 daily blog.
We’ll be back again tomorrow from 8am for more updates.
3.10pm. Libraries re-opening for borrowing and returns
Ipswich City Council is implementing a phased approach to re-opening the city’s services, with libraries to be the first to open the doors on Saturday.
Council is carefully adhering to health advice, with the first phase of opening strictly limited to the borrowing and returning of items.
“We’ll still have to ensure we stick to physical distancing guidelines, which means only 10 people will be allowed in the library at any given time,” Deputy Mayor Marnie Doyle said.
Read the full story here.
2.08pm. Adding colour to the concrete
Springfield mum Telsa Hardy is brightening up her street’s footpath during COVID-19 with some incredible chalk art.
Telsa’s colourful creations of butterflies, flowers and Disney characters have been so well received that she’s now getting commissions for her art.
“I am getting a lot of requests for pictures that people can frame and I’ve also had some mural requests,” she said.
“People thank me for brightening their day and I’ve had some say that I’m doing a community service by lifting people’s spirits.”
See more of Telsa’s art here: Chalk art draws neighbours together amid crisis
1pm. Front Yard Friday takeaway options
Ipswich residents are being encouraged to decorate their front yards and driveways on the Ipswich Show Holiday, May 15 for Front Yard Friday.
After you’ve decorated your garden, fence or driveway, why not take the afternoon off cooking and order your favourite takeaway.
Check out the following post for a list of restaurants and cafes that will be open for takeaway this Friday:
12pm. Help is available
It is extremely important to reach out for help if you are struggling to cope.
Here are some important numbers:
- Lifeline 13 11 14 will continue to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Lifeline Text 0477 13 11 14 will continue to operate 6pm – midnight (AEDT), 7 nights a week
- Lifeline webchat will continue to operate 7pm – midnight (AEDT), 7 nights a week
- Kids Helpline – for children that may need support 1800 55 1800. https://kidshelpline.com.au
- Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 https://beyondblue.org.au
10.50am. The show must go on… at home
Ipswich Civic Centre has been streaming free online shows while the venue is closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The latest in the line up of Ipswich Civic Centre At Home is coming to your screens at 7.30pm tonight, with Möller-Fraticelli guitar duo performing live from their home in the Netherlands.
Check out their message to Ipswich fans ahead of tonight’s performance, which will be streamed live on Ipswich Civic Centre’s Facebook page.
10.05am. Why it’s important to get the flu shot this year
Mayor Teresa Harding is encouraging Ipswich residents to follow the advice of health authorities and get the flu vaccine to help ease the “double burden” of the flu season during COVID-19.
The flu vaccine is free for people who are at increased risk of complications, including:
- children aged six months to five years
- people over the age of 65
- pregnant women
- All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of six months
- People who have certain medical conditions which increase the risk of influenza disease complications
“Just to be clear, the flu vaccine will not protect you against COVID-19, but it will prevent you from suffering both viruses at once,” West Moreton Health’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Deepak Doshi said.
“It will also limit the spread of influenza in the community and that will take pressure off our hospitals at this busy time.”
Find out more: >>> Why it’s important to get your flu shot now
9am. From the youth to the elderly with love
Ipswich Grammar School students have been sending letters of hope to elderly.
In a society where email has taken over hand-written letter writing, the boys from Ipswich Grammar School have gone back to the art to maintain connection with residents from the Bundaleer Lodge Nursing Home.
In recent years the school offered a Memoirs Program where the year nine boys made regular visits to meet residents who were keen to share their life experiences.
At the end of the year the boys produced a book with the residents’ stories.
With the current restrictions on visitors to nursing homes, the program had to change its focus from actual visits to boys thinking “outside the box”.
The boys wanted to retain the connection with the residents and let them know they were cared for.
A number of our boys also recorded musical performances for the residents which have been sent electronically for them to view.
An Ipswich Grammar School spokesperson said connecting to the community is a fundamental part of school culture.
“In these unprecedented times where social distancing and isolation is perhaps affecting the most vulnerable members of the community we felt the connection had to be even stronger,” the spokesperson said.
8am. Wednesday 13 May. Update on total cases
West Moreton has zero active cases of COVID-19.
There are 37 recovered cases in the region and no new cases since the start of April.
Queensland recorded an extra six cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, but this is due to a technicality, as totals must be recorded according to which state people live in, rather than where they were infected or treated.
All six cases were Queensland residents who were diagnosed and treated in other states and have all now recovered.
Currently, seven of the state’s 18 active cases are in hospital, with three people in intensive care. The remainder of active cases are recovering at home.
A total of 138,892 tests for COVID-19 have been undertaken in Queensland.
Queensland’s testing criteria has been expanded so that anyone in the state who has a fever (or history of fever) or acute respiratory symptoms can get tested.
If you are unwell and you meet the above criteria, you should contact a doctor immediately. Your doctor will decide if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
Before your appointment, please call ahead and tell them about your symptoms so they can prepare for your visit.
While some restrictions are easing this Saturday, Queensland Health authorities are urging people to continue playing their part to protect themselves and the more vulnerable in our community.
Continue to follow the recommended advice from Health officials by social distancing and make sure you are practising good hygiene.
