4pm. We’ll be back tomorrow
That’s a wrap for us today. We’ll be back again tomorrow from 8am with more community information and COVID-19 updates.
See you then!
3.35pm. Beware of scammers and pandemic profiteers this Mother’s Day
Ipswich residents are being warned to be vigilant of Mother’s Day scams this year, as some unscrupulous traders seek coronavirus pandemic profits.
Queensland’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath said with social distancing making Mother’s Day 2020 different from usual, buying a gift online from a local retailer is a great way to show Mum you’re thinking of her.
“Dodgy websites, late deliveries, and a questionable quality of products are just a few things you don’t want to have to deal with when shopping for a gift this Mother’s Day,” Ms D’Ath said.
“One way to ensure you don’t deliver a dud on Mother’s Day is to support a small or local business you trust by visiting them online.
“Scammers can use the anonymous nature of the internet to rip off unsuspecting shoppers. Buying through the website of a local trader you know reduces this risk.”
Find out more: Say no to Mother’s Day scammers and pandemic profiteers this year
3.10pm. New community respiratory clinic opens for COVID-19 testing
A new GP-led respiratory clinic to test patients for COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses is now open in Booval.
Kambu Booval is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dedicated Fever Clinic now available to clinically assess people with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms (a fever, cough, shortness of breath, a sore throat and/or unusual fatigue).
Kambu Booval is at 3/160 Brisbane Road, Booval.
Bookings are essential – anyone wishing to be seen at the respiratory clinic must make an appointment by calling 37436 5680.
2.30pm. Care Army and police saving lives during COVID-19
We know it’s not in Ipswich but we thought this feel-good story was worth sharing.
Queensland’s Care Army and the Queensland Police Service have come to the aid of an 80-year-old woman who broke her hip and was unable to move in her home for more than four days.
Erika Freingruber, who lives alone in her Beaudesert house and has no immediate family, had registered for assistance with the Care Army during COVID-19.
A member of the Care Arm Community Recovery team raised concerns with Beaudesert Police on 23 April after not being able to contact the 80 year old.
Erika had broken her hip after falling over several days earlier and was unable to get assistance.
To support seniors who don’t have family, friends or neighbours to provide assistance, register for the Care Army on the Community Recovery Hotline 1800 173 349 or visit qld.gov.au/CareArmy
1.20pm. No Ipswich Show, fun will go on with Front Yard Friday
Ipswich residents are being encouraged to let their creative sides run free by decorating their front yards and driveways on May 15 for Front Yard Friday.
The community-wide event is being held on the Ipswich Show Public Holiday, proving that while this year’s show cannot go on because of COVID-19 restrictions, the fun of the day still can.
Activities to help children with decorating their yard can be downloaded from Ipswich City Council at ipswich.qld.gov.au/ipswichtogether
Activities include do it yourself bunting, paper flowers, paper chain people and colouring sheets.
Read the full story here: No Ipswich Show, but fun goes on with Front Yard Friday
11.50am. Ipswich businesses praised for helping each other out during crisis
Mayor Teresa Harding has paid tribute to the incredible spirit of cooperation between the business community in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.
She cited the example of Springfield Central’s Orion Hotel – closed down because of state and federal restrictions – and how it was offering a free service to other businesses via its huge electronic billboard at the shopping centre.
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce has promoted the offer: “Is your business still open but just working a little differently? Here’s a fantastic opportunity to advertise your business in a prominent location for free. Thanks to the Orion Hotel’s generosity, we have organised for your business to be advertised on their large LED sign on the outside of their building. The sign is located on North Star Crossing.”
“Businesses are going through tough times but are still there for each other. I think that is amazing,” Mayor Harding said.
Mayor Harding thanked Orion Hotel manager Sarah Knopke and said some businesses were making little or no money in the Covid-19 crisis but still wanted to help the community.
“It is very inspiring,” she said.
For small business owners who would like to take this opportunity to advertise, provide your image in 1024 x 576 pixels and send it to Leila Stewart at [email protected]
11am. Six ways to treat your mum this Mother’s Day
Whether you’ll be seeing your mum in person this Mother’s Day or keeping your distance due to COVID-19, there are plenty of ways to treat your mum this Sunday.
Here are six ways you can celebrate your mum in these unusual times.
- Breakfast in bed or brunch with the family
- Plan a picnic
- Go for a walk
- Brighten her day with flowers
- Get out in the garden
- Do a virtual class together
For more about each of these activities, read the full story here.
10.05am. Queensland update: further easing of restrictions, two new cases
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Thursday announced further easing of restrictions, as Queensland’s number of active cases of COVID-19 continues to go down.
“This Sunday is Mother’s Day, and because Queensland has been doing such a great job, from Sunday we will be allowing up to five members to visit a household right across Queensland,” the Premier said.
“That is great news for families. It must be from the same household.
“I really want to thank Queenslanders for a great job that they’ve been doing right across our state.”
Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young further explained the new rules.
“It’s good news that from this Sunday, one family of up to five people can go and visit another family,” Dr Young said.
“That’s important, it’s about two households coming together. We don’t think that will increase risk.
“We can do that in Queensland because of the great job everyone’s been doing.”
The announcement comes after Queensland recorded two new cases of COVID-19 overnight, with only 50 active cases across the state.
Both of the new cases are located on the Gold Coast. One is related to a cruise ship, and health officials are currently tracking the source of the other.
9am. We’ve all got a role to play in flattening the curve
Queenslanders must stay home unless leaving their homes for reasons such as:
- medical or health care needs, including compassionate needs;
- exercise;
- work and study if you can’t work or learn remotely; and
- shopping for essentials – food and necessary supplies;
- recreational activities, if it’s within 50km of your home, including:
- shopping not considered as being for ‘food and necessary supplies’,
- other activities such as going on a picnic, or going for a drive.
Queenslanders must practice social distancing and only go out with the people you live with or, if you’re by
yourself, with one other person.
You can have two visitors to your residence who don’t normally live there.
8am. Thursday 7 May 2020. Ipswich has no active cases of COVID-19
West Moreton Health reported late yesterday that there is now zero active cases of COVID-19 in West Moreton.
There are 37 recovered cases in the region with no new ones since the start of April.
The number of active COVID-19 cases in Queensland less than 60 and five new cases were confirmed over the long weekend.
There were no new cases recorded for Queensland yesterday also.
There are now 52 active cases, 985 recovered and six deaths for a total of 1043 across Queensland.
Queensland Health’s Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young reminded all Queenslanders to continue practising social distancing and good hygiene.
“Overall we saw most people abided by the social distancing regulations over the weekend after we eased restrictions to allow Queenslanders to leave their homes for recreation within a 50km radius,” Dr Young said.
“However, we did see some instances of people in crowded public areas and not adhering to social distancing.
“You should only be socialising with members of your household or one other person when leaving your home, or you can have two visitors visit your home.
“If the place you plan to visit is crowded when you get there and you can’t easily exercise the 1.5 metre social distancing rule, then you should go to another location or visit at a less busy time.”
Currently, 973 of the 1,043 confirmed cases had recently travelled overseas or had close contact with a confirmed case, such as their partner or flatmate.
A total of 120,204 tests for COVID-19 have been undertaken in Queensland, with 2,465 tests undertaken in the previous 24 hours.
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.
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, please call ahead and tell them about your symptoms so they can prepare for your visit.
Most Queenslanders who have contracted COVID-19 have experienced mild symptoms.
Currently, nine of the 52 active confirmed cases are in hospital, with four of these in intensive care. The remainder of active cases are currently recovering at home.
A total of 985 Queenslanders (94 per cent of total cases) have now recovered from COVID-19.
Contact tracing continues for recent cases. Queensland Health will notify the community if any public health alerts are required.
