4.05pm. That’s all for today
Thanks for following along with the #ipswichtogether daily blog.
We’ll be back again tomorrow from 8am with more community updates and important information.
3.05pm. Fun ideas for backyard play
Need some inspiration to keep the kids busy at home? Ipswich mum Rachel Leembruggen has come up with 30 days of backyard play.
“Before coronavirus, walking to the local park and playing on the equipment was a lifesaver with my three boys, so I knew I’d have to bring my A-game to our backyard play,” Mrs Leembruggen said.
“I was feeling overwhelmed at how to entertain the boys with the restrictions and I knew other parents would most likely be feeling the pressure too.”
Read the full story here.
2pm. Boredom busting fun from Ipswich Libraries
Bored at home? Give this Ipswich Libraries challenge a try.
12.50pm. Have you downloaded the COVIDSafe app yet?
Downloading the COVIDSafe app is an easy way you can help fight the spread of COVID-19.
It helps speed up the process of finding and contracting people exposed to coronavirus.
More info below.
11.25am. Close call leads to close shave
Not many teenage girls would be comfortable shaving their hair off.
But for two brave Ipswich students, that is exactly what they did.
St Augustine’s College Augustine Heights students Caitie Casa and Nicola Lees had very personal reasons for shaving their hair off.
The students raised $1300 as part of the World’s Greatest Shave.
While usually a large public event, the shave was instead live-streamed to family and friends due to coronavirus restrictions.
Read their story here.
9.45am. Queensland update: record testing, people encouraged to connect with each other
Health Minister Steven Miles on Wednesday said Queensland had hit a record in its testing of COVID-19.
“We hit a record number of tests in a single day – 4886,” Mr Miles said.
“That’s a fantastic result for all Queenslanders, but as we keep saying we want to keep testing even more and so we are setting a challenge to Queenslanders: can we break that record again? Can we get to 5000 tests in a single day?
“If you have any symptoms whatsoever, do the right thing for your health, but also help us get to 5000 tests in a day.”
One new case of COVID-19 was recorded in Queensland during Tuesday’s record testing.
Chief health officer Jeannette Young said it was now time for people to start engaging with others, after social distancing took its toll, particularly on the older generations.
“For our older citizens here in Queensland, they have done a fantastic job but they have really worn the brunt of this,” Dr Young said.
“They have been isolated, and that is not good.
“We need to slowly but carefully have people come out and mingle in society, but carefully.”
Dr Young said it was important to connect with other people, but it must be done safely.
“Wherever possible people should maintain 1.5 metre distance – that will keep you safe,” she said.
“Of course get tested if you have any symptoms.
“I encourage all of our population to think about how they can safely go out and visit friends and family, that’s really important.”
8am. Wednesday, 20 May 2020. One active case in Ipswich
No new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Queensland on Tuesday.
There is currently one active case COVID-19 in the West Moreton Health region and contact tracing is underway.
This is the first new case since April 1, bringing the region’s total of confirmed cases to 38, with 37 recovered.
There are currently 12 active cases of COVID-19 across the state. Of these, 4 people are being treated in hospital and one person is in intensive care.
The remainder of active cases are currently recovering at home.
A total of 1,038 Queenslanders (98 per cent of total cases) have now recovered from COVID-19.
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.
As some restrictions are lifted across the state, Queensland Health authorities are urging people to continue to stop the spread of COVID-19 by:
• Practicing physical distancing which means keeping 1.5 metres away from others and avoiding shaking hands, kissing or hugging others.
• Practicing good hand hygiene which means cleaning your hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rubs.
• Staying at home if you are sick – no matter how minor the symptoms.
• Getting tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms – testing may be done for people who have fever (or history of fever) OR acute respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat, shortness of breath).
• Self-isolating until you have a negative test result.
Find out more on the Queensland Health website: www.health.qld.gov.au/covid-data
