4.10pm. That’s all for today
That’s all for today’s #ipswichtogether blog. We’ll be back again tomorrow from 8am.
3.32pm. Do the 3 to help us all stay COVID free
2.15pm. A look at Ipswich Hospital Birthing Suite
Michaela is an Ipswich Hospital midwife and in this video she takes a quick tour of the Ipswich Hospital Birthing Suite.
It’s business as usual for expectant mothers coming into the hospital ready to meet their bundles of joy.
Currently, two people are allowed to support mothers during pregnancy and birthing care.
1.25pm. What reopening businesses need to know
As restrictions on food and beauty businesses ease, owners are being directed to follow some new rules.
The Queensland government has released a list of rules and obligations for businesses who are considered to be ‘high risk’ to help us all stay COVID safe in our new post-quarantine world.
There’s a limited amount of time to ensure compliance, with Queensland Health asking for checklists to be completed within two weeks of reopening.
Here’s what reopening businesses need to know: https://www.ipswichfirst.com.au/what-reopening-businesses-need-to-know/
11.45am. MP praises Ipswich’s response to pandemic
Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard has praised Ipswich – it’s people, health workers and agencies – for how it responded to the pandemic.
Ms Howard also spoke about her concerns for the mental wellbeing of those who have lost their jobs or had to shut their businesses in recent months.
Watch the speech she made in State Parliament last week below.
11.15am. Help preserve this moment in time
Ipswich residents are being asked to share personal stories and images with Picture Ipswich to preserve this moment in time for future generations.
Picture Ipswich have launched a Picture Ipswich At Home: The Ipswich Covid-19 Experience that will consist of images and stories told by the Ipswich community.
Local Disaster Management Group deputy chair Councillor Kate Kunzelmann said the coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we live our lives.
“We want to capture this unique moment in time by asking residents to send their images and stories to Picture Ipswich,” Cr Kunzelmann said.
Residents can send their images of empty shelves, home schooling, social distancing signage, pets helping/getting in the way of work, how special events like Anzac Day were marked, to name a few, to Instagram #PictureIpswichAtHome, the Picture Ipswich Facebook page or email.
Or answer the questions at the bottom of this story for an oral history: https://www.ipswichfirst.com.au/help-us-preserve-this-moment-in-time-during-coronavirus/
10.05am. Fighting against child abuse during COVID-19
Australia’s leading child protection advocates have teamed up to respond to an “inevitable explosion” of child abuse cases following coronavirus lockdowns.
Act for Kids, the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, Kay McGrath and Detective Inspector Jon Rouse have joined forces to reach more children and young people through the Walk Tall program.
The program, which provides counselling to child victims, will be delivered at the Act for Kids therapy centre in Ipswich and Daniel House in Palmwoods on the Sunshine Coast.
Read more here: Fighting against child abuse during COVID-19
9am. Teachers welcome students back to the classroom
The teachers of Bethany Lutheran Primary School are so pumped to have their students back in the classroom today they made this fun dancing video encouraging their students to ‘Clap Your Hands’ when your day is going good or bad.
A grand balloon arch greeted the children back on campus at Ipswich Junior Grammar school.
8am. Monday, 25 May 2020. Cases in Ipswich and across Queensland
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 for Ipswich since April 1, bringing the region’s total of confirmed cases to 38, with 37 recovered.
There are 24 overseas acquired cases in Ipswich and four locally acquired for a total of 28.
Across Queensland, there were three active cases recorded over the weekend, 1041 recovered and six deaths for a total of 1061.
The majority of Queensland’s confirmed cases had recently travelled overseas or interstate, or had close contact with a confirmed case, such as their partner or flatmate.
A total of 1,136 tests for COVID-19 have been undertaken in Queensland in the previous 24 hours.
Most Queenslanders who have contracted COVID-19 have experienced mild symptoms. Currently, four of the 14 active confirmed cases are in hospital, with one of these in intensive care. The remainder of active cases are currently recovering at home.
A total of 1,041 Queenslanders (98 per cent of total cases) have now recovered from COVID-19.
Contact tracing continues for recent cases.
