4.05pm. Thanks for reading
That’s it from the #ipswichtogether COVID-19 daily blog for today.
We’ll be back again tomorrow from 8am with important information and community updates.
If you have something you think we should be covering, send us an email at [email protected]
3.45pm. Thanking our heath care heroes
Ipswich Junior Grammar School Year 5 student, Hayden, sent a heartfelt message of thanks to local health care workers. See it below.
Also read: Your chance to send a big thanks to our health heroes
3.10pm. Tips on looking after yourself in isolation
Staying at home and not seeing friends and family in person is probably a little different to what you’re used to.
It’s important to do activities that will help you stay mentally healthy and well during this period. Here are four ways to look after yourself at home:
- Spend time doing activities that are good for your well-being. Read a book or try a virtual workout.
- Maintain a healthy routine. Eat well, aim for a good night’s sleep and plan regular catch ups via the phone, email or video chat.
- Seek accurate information.
- Keep up the good hygiene. Even at home, you should wash hands often and thoroughly.
2.30pm. Delivering a great community service
Proving that community spirit is alive and well in Marburg, Jacquie Davis at the Marburg Post Office is offering to deliver parcels and provisions to anyone in her delivery area who’s in self isolation while she’s out on the post run.
Jacquie’s also set up some Easter-inspired social distancing measures for those who pop into the store.
2pm. New plan to help our health heroes
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Monday announced a new plan to protect the state’s health heroes.
The $17.5 million plan will secure accommodation in hotels for health workers who may not be able to go home during COVID-19.
“All along we’ve said that this government will prepare for all eventualities, and you’ve heard us talk before about planning for various spread scenarios,” Health Minister Steven Miles said.
“We are also planning to take care of our health workers throughout this outbreak.
“That’s what this investment in possible alternative accommodation for them is all about. It’s sending a message to our health workers that no matter what, we have their back.
“They are, and taking care of them and keeping them healthy, is our number one priority.
“So if they need it, we will invest in accommodation for them, accommodation close to their workplace.”
The new accommodation plan is not for health workers who are sick, there is a separate program available to those who contract COVID-19. Rather, this plan is aimed at health workers who are well and still working, but who, for whatever reason, cannot go home.
Queensland had 14 new cases of COVID-19 overnight, bringing the state’s total to 921.
1.15pm. This year’s Ekka called off
For just the third time in its 143-year history, the Ekka has been cancelled.
11.50am. Do you know someone who needs information in their own language?
It’s important that everyone in our community is getting the right information.
Community Door has some great resources in languages other than English and easy-English guides plus an Auslan video.
If you know someone who can benefit from these resources, please share them. Visit the site here.
10.55am. Spreading beauty in tough times
North Ipswich artist Annamaria Mays is spreading beauty from isolation with a drawing a day.
Her Isolation series focuses on objects around the home such as baking, vases of flowers and scenes taking place in her home.
“Being in isolation is also a time for reflection and stillness,” Mrs Mays said.
“I like to share my drawings on Facebook each day in the hope of bringing some enjoyment.
“I draw what I live and in these times of uncertainty I try to focus on activities that inspire feelings of joy and encouragement.”
Read also: Teapot collector a real home body
10.05am. Social distancing saves lives
9.30am. Surprise Springfield appearance for court queen Ash Barty
Local tennis players got the shock of their lives when women’s world #1 Ash Barty dropped in unannounced for a hit around at the Springfield Central sports complex yesterday.
As luck would have it, there was only one of the eight courts available when Barty and a female friend rocked up about 9.30am Sunday morning and she grabbed it.
The Ipswich resident did a few arm stretches then traded ground strokes with her friend for about an hour. And Barty was holding nothing back as she pounded some forehands and her trademark backhand slices all around the court.
Local lad Ben McDonald-Giles, 13, playing on an adjacent court with his father, took the opportunity for a photograph with the court queen during a drinks break and she was only too obliging.
Barty said it was best to observe social distancing for the selfie by Ben standing on one side of the net and her on the other, about 2m apart. Then it was back to bashing the ball for Barty.
She was fortunate to have come to the still-open tennis court.
Ipswich City Council, acting on police instructions, had closed several other Springfield courts on Friday, including the stand-alone Ashleigh Barty Tennis Court at Springfield Lakes, due to Covid-19 concerns and to stop social gatherings.
Barty’s presence surely livened up a Sunday morning in Springfield at a time when she would normally have been in Europe preparing to defend her French Open title on clay in May.
8.30am. Breast screening service temporarily suspended
BreastScreen Queensland has temporarily suspended routine breast screening to safeguard the health of clients, staff and community during the COVID-19 outbreak.
All women with cancelled appointments will be notified as soon as possible.
Clients will be called to reschedule appointments once they can reopen.
Any patients that have recently had a breast screen will receive their results through the post or online account.
BreastScreen Queensland remains open for those women who have been asked to return for additional tests.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call your local service on 13 20 50.
Remain aware of the normal look and feel of your breasts.
“If any changes are noticed, contact your doctor immediately, do not wait until your next breast screen,” a spokesperson said.
Breast changes to look out for include:
- A new lump or lumpiness, especially if it’s only in one breast;
- A change in the size and shape of your breast;
- A change to the nipple, such as crusting, an ulcer, redness or the nipple pulled in;
- A discharge from your nipple that happens without squeezing the nipple;
- A change in the skin of the breast such as redness or dimpling or puckered skin;
- A pain that doesn’t go away.
8am. Monday, 6 April 2020. Thirty-seven cases confirmed for West Moreton
The West Moreton Health district remains steady at 37 cases testing positive for COVID-19.
The region went from 36 to 37 confirmed cases on 1 April and no new cases have been confirmed for the past six days.
Queensland in total has 36 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the weekend.
Twenty-seven of those were new cases were confirmed on Saturday and nine new cases confirmed on Sunday.
The state total is currently 907 confirmed cases.
Queensland Health confirmed yesterday that a fifth Queenslander has passed away from COVID-19.
A Queensland Health spokesperson said the 78-year-old with underlying medical conditions died in The Prince Charles Hospital.
“The man contracted the disease after recently returning from a cruise. Queensland Health offers its sincere condolences to his family,” the spokesperson said.
Of the total 37 cases in West Moreton Health district, 27 were in Ipswich suburbs, seven were in Brisbane suburbs, while there was one in Scenic Rim Council area, one in Somerset Regional Council area and one in Lockyer Valley Regional Council area where West Moreton Health provides care.
Contact tracing continues, which means West Moreton Health are directly contacting people considered to be at risk through close contact with a confirmed case.
“We want everyone to know they play a part in protecting themselves and the more vulnerable members of the community,” a West Moreton Health spokesperson said.
“Stay 1.5 metres apart, avoid touching, shaking hands and hugging, practice cough etiquette, wash your hands regularly, and stay home as much as possible, to reduce the spread of COVID-19 disease.”
Is the council going to do anything about blocking access to the basketball courts and gym at Ripley. Turn the lights off would be a good start.
Agree with Mark, still people using the basketball courts and out door gym equipment. When asked why, they say “no signs up saying closed”. Children were still playing in around Fay Carr Park as well.
Hi, have you looked at all the folk illegal camping at rest areas.
Ispwich motorsport precinct have campers for a few days now.
There are caravan parks open with no cxampers!
Please move them to appropriate camping/caravan parks.