4pm. We’ll be back tomorrow
That’s all from us today on the #ipswichtogether COVID-19 blog. We’ll be back with more community updates and information from 8am tomorrow.
Enjoy your night and don’t forget to continue physical distancing and washing your hands often.
See you tomorrow!
3pm. Where to go for support
It is extremely important to seek out help if you feel you need it. Here are some important numbers which will have a guiding hand at the end of the line:
- 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
2.20pm. Zero active cases in West Moreton Health region
All 38 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the West Moreton region have now recovered.
The latest figures from Queensland Health show there are currently 7 active cases of COVID-19 across the state.
Have a look at the following post for more details:
2.00pm. Wanting to book your next getaway? Read this first
Many of us are itching to book a holiday to enjoy post COVID-19, but Queensland’s Office of Fair Trading warns there are risks in doing it too soon.
Fair Trading Executive Director Brian Bauer said that while regional travel restrictions may be easing, international travel restrictions were likely to take some time to return to some semblance of normality.
“Despite the travel bans put in place by the Federal Government, some operators are still marketing holidays for later in 2020 and early next year on a ‘pay now, book later’ basis,” Mr Bauer said.
“If Queensland consumers are thinking about booking a flight, cruise, accommodation or holiday package for travel outside Queensland, and particularly outside Australia in the medium to longer term, they should read the fine print very carefully, paying careful attention to any terms or conditions about cancellations.
“Consumers should also be aware that insurance purchased now for such travel is unlikely to cover any loss that might be incurred if it is due to continuing or re-emergence of COVID-19.
Learn more on the Office of Fair Trading’s website.
12.55pm. The Girl with the Pearl Earring… and a mask
Here’s one of the latest art works that’s brightening up the streets of Ipswich as part of Ipswich Festivals’ Pavement Art’s Alive.
There’s still time to enter. Just grab some chalk and get drawing on your driveway or footpath and share your creations on the Ipswich Festivals Facebook page.
For more inspiration on turning your footpath into a canvas, read our story on Springfield artist Telsa Hardy, who’s been drawing Disney characters, bees and butterflies to make her neighbours smile during the COVID-19 restrictions.
12pm. Marking Reconciliation Week during COVID-19
With large public gatherings cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions, Yugara sisters Lilly and Maria Davidson are encouraging all Australians to educate themselves about our country’s history this Reconciliation Week.
The co-founders of Liworaji Aboriginal Corporation performed the Welcome to Country for the Mayor and councillors at this week’s council meeting and said there were lessons we could learn from COVID-19 to take into this week.
“It’s been sad to see the whole world stopped in its tracks, but it’s been good for families and nature,” Aunty Lilly said.
“What I’d like to see out of all of this is that everyone stops and reflects, where have we come from and where are we heading, and what’s important to us in life.
“We all come in different shades, but every one of us lives here, so let’s embrace the culture and the history we have, and all show our respect to the land.”
They also encouraged people to continue following health advice to protect Indigenous elders and keep our mob safe.
11am. Queensland update: seventh Queenslander with COVID-19 has died
A 30-year-old man from Blackwater in Central Queensland has died with COVID-19, with Health Minister Steven Miles describing the news as ‘absolutely tragic’.
“Late yesterday afternoon the Queensland Ambulance Service was called to a home in Blackwater,” Mr Miles said.
“There they found a man who was deceased. He was later tested for COVID-19 and that test was positive.
“The paramedics and police officers who attended the scene are now in quarantine.
“Our thoughts are with the Queensland family who will today be grieving.
“We have deployed a public health expert and additional contact tracing resources from Brisbane to Blackwater today.”
Mr Miles said the man appeared to have been ill for some time but did not get tested for COVID-19.
“We have set up additional fever clinics that will be ready and operational in Emerald and in Blackwater shortly,” he said.
“We urge anyone in Queensland, and particularly in Blackwater, who is showing symptoms to go and get tested.”
The man’s partner is now showing COVID-19 symptoms, however she returned a negative test result on Tuesday night. She is currently isolating in Rockhampton Hospital, awaiting further testing.
It’s the first case of COVID-19 in Blackwater. Contact tracing is currently underway.
Queensland currently has seven active cases of COVID-19.
10am. Get ready for National Simultaneous Storytime
Head over to the Ipswich Libraries website or Facebook page in an hour to watch the entire Public Programming Team share this year’s book ‘Chicken Divas’ by Lucinda Gifford at 11am.
It’s part of the much-loved National Simultaneous Storytime event, where one Australian picture book is read at the same time all over the country.
This year it’s going virtual, as library programs remain on hold due to COVID-19.
Take a look at some of our library team’s great Chicken Diva-inspired outfits below:
9am. Keep kids at home if they’re unwell
School is officially back with students across Queensland returning to the classroom this week.
But while the return to the classroom has been welcomed by kids and parents alike, Queensland Health has reminded parents how important it is to keep their kids at home if they’re feeling unwell.
“Before your child heads to the classroom each day, have a conversation to see how they’re feeling,” Queensland Health said on Facebook.
“If they have any signs or symptoms of illness (even mild), please keep them home until they feel better.
“This is just one simple way to look out for the health and safety of yourself and those around you.”
8am. Wednesday 27 May. Ipswich cases remain steady
There is currently one active case Covid-19 in Ipswich and contact tracing is underway.
The West Moreton Health region has had a total of 38 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 37 people recovered.
Queensland had one new confirmed case of coronavirus on Tuesday. There are currently 12 active cases of COVID-19 in Queensland.
Across the state, four people are currently being treated in hospital, while one person is in intensive care.
The remainder of active cases are recovering at home.
A total of 1,039 Queenslanders have now recovered from COVID-19.
For more detailed information about COVID-19 cases in Queensland including maps of cases and the number of tests completed, visit the Queensland Health website: www.health.qld.gov.au/covid-data
