4.15pm. See you tomorrow
That’s all from us today for the #ipswichtogether COVID-19 blog.
We’ll be back again tomorrow with more community information and updates.
See you then!
3.30pm. What restrictions are easing this weekend?
Some restrictions will ease in Queensland from Saturday, May 2. You will be able to do some additional activities while continuing to practise social distancing.
You may only undertake these activities with your family/household or with one other person.
More information on current public health directions is available on the Queensland Health website.
3pm. Seafood sells in Rosewood during COVID-19
Aussie Fresh Seafood Co. owner Christina Vogler pulls up at Rosewood every Thursday.
The fish have been flying out the door as residents follow health advice to avoid unnecessary travel.
“There are no restaurants open and people are doing a lot of their own cooking at home,” Ms Vogler said.
“My sales have increased.
“We live at Rosevale so it’s nice to be able to bring the sea to the neighbourhood.”
Ms Vogler is following all of the current restrictions and is wearing a face mask as well.
The Aussie Fresh Seafood Co van is at John St between Crazy Clarks and Royal George Hotel, Rosewood, every Thursday 9am to 3.30pm.
2pm. Queensland’s harvest season to go ahead
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Wednesday assured Queensland growers they can maintain a seasonal workforce while meeting their COVID-19 public health obligations.
“Much of Australia’s fresh produce is grown right here in Queensland and our growers need up to 10,000 workers to help harvest their crops over the next six months,” she said in a social media post.
“We’re working closely with the industry to make sure harvests can go ahead safely and effectively during COVID-19.”
Any seasonal worker coming to Queensland needs a border pass and details of:
- where they had been for the previous two weeks
- written confirmation of a job in Queensland
- and where they planned to reside.
If they come from a declared COVID-19 hotspot, they must also self-quarantine for 14 days at their own or employer’s expense before starting their employment.
More information: Queensland’s annual harvest season can go ahead safely and effectively during COVID-19
1pm. Chief Health Officer answers your top COVID-19 questions
People have a lot of questions about COVID-19, particularly as restrictions start to ease in Queensland.
The state’s top health official, Dr Jeannette Young, recently sat down with Queensland Health to answer some of your most frequently asked questions about COVID-19. Check it out below.
12pm. Update on local picnic facilities ahead of restrictions being eased
As of this weekend, Ipswich residents will be able to use picnic facilities in local parks while abiding by social distancing requirements as per Queensland Government health advice.
Keep in mind that you may only do so with members of your household or with one other person.
Playgrounds and swimming pools will remain closed.
White Rock-Spring Mountain Conservation Estate, including its picnic area and trails, is closed this weekend due to post-fire safety requirements after hazard reduction burns were undertaken within the estate last weekend.
11.30am. No new Queensland COVID-19 cases overnight
Queensland has recorded zero new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
Find out more about the current state of COVID-19 in Queensland on the Queensland Health website.
As Queensland continues to flatten the curve, make sure you keep social distancing and washing your hands frequently.
If you develop fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath within 14 days of overseas travel or after close contact with someone who has COVID-19, call your doctor or 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).
11am. Learning@homeTV to start tomorrow
The first episode of Learning@homeTV will air on Friday, 1 May on 7TWO at 8.30am.
The episode will be divided into Kindy-Year 2, Years 3 to 4 and Years 5 to 6, with a focus on Maths, Science, English, Arts and Physical Education.
Learning@homeTV episodes will air each Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8.30am to 10.30am.
Education Minister Grace Grace on Wednesday announced more television networks were taking part in the program that’s helping Queensland kids to learn from home.
Channel 9 will introduce Reading@homeTV, with the first episode set to air on May 5. Targeted at students in Kindy to Year 3, episodes will air each Tuesday and Thursday from 8.30am to 9am with two stories narrated in each episode.
Reading@homeTV will be broadcast on 9Go!, 9Imparja and 9Now.
Channel 10 will host Coding@homeTV for students in Years 7 to 9 between 11.30am and 12pm each Wednesday and Friday from 6 May.
Coding@homeTV will be broadcast on 10 Peach.
10.05am. Due date for payment of rates extended
Ipswich City Council has responded further to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing rates assistance for the community.
At its first official meeting this week, council approved an extension to the discount and due date for rate payments until 18 June.
Read the full story: Rates assistance provided in wake of pandemic
9.05am. Support is available
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
8am. Thursday 29 April 2020. Keeping the curve on a flat trajectory
West Moreton Health is currently managing two positive cases of COVID-19 with one patient being treated in Ipswich Hospital.
There have only been 37 cases in the region and no new ones since the start of April.
One new case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Queensland bringing the state total to 1034.
There are now 94 active cases, 934 recovered and six deaths.
Queensland Health’s Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said currently, 971 of the 1,034 confirmed cases had recently travelled overseas or had close contact with a confirmed case, such as their partner or flatmate.
“Even though Queensland has recorded very low numbers of cases this week, Queenslanders are reminded to continue staying home as much as possible, and stay in their suburb when undertaking essential activities such as going to the supermarket or exercising,” she said.
Dr Young said a total of 104,950 tests for COVID-19 have been undertaken in Queensland, with 3,250 tests undertaken in the previous 24 hours.
Most Queenslanders who have contracted COVID-19 have experienced mild symptoms. Currently, 12 of the 94 active confirmed cases are in hospital, with six of these in intensive care. The remainder of active cases are currently recovering at home.
A total of 934 Queenslanders (90% of total cases) have now recovered from COVID-19.
Contact tracing continues for recent cases.
Queensland’s testing criteria has now 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, call ahead and tell them about your symptoms so they can prepare for your visit.
