An Ipswich woman in her 70s who works at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre in Wacol has tested positive to COVID-19.
The Brisbane Youth Detention Centre is in lockdown as about 130 youth in detention and more than 500 staff undergo testing for COVID-19.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the woman worked for five shifts while she was in the infectious period.
“What you are going to hear today is a story of a woman who was sick and still went to work so it is really, really important Queenslanders that if you are sick stay at home because we now have a whole lot of contact tracing to do,” she said.
“The good news there hasn’t been visitors at that Youth Detention Centre because of our concerns with those young women that came back from Victoria from the 27 July until Monday.
“We have very strong management plans in place for events like this and those plans are now being activated with the staff of the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre and Queensland Health.”
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding urged the community to keep following the advice of health authorities, after news of a new positive COVID-19 case in the Ipswich region.
“The new positive case is concerning, but I urge the community to remain calm and follow the health directives,” she said.
The Mayor said anyone who felt unwell and had coronavirus symptoms should get tested immediately and isolate until they receive further advice.
“We will continue to be guided by Queensland Health and the State Government. Please take the advice of the relevant health authorities,” she said.
“We have been through this before and shown our community strength in doing the right thing, including testing, social distancing and isolating if you feel unwell.
“I urge Ipswich residents to do the right thing and protect our family, friends and our communities.
“We all need to take appropriate measures. Please wash your hands, practice social distancing, stay home if you are unwell, and we will get through this together.”
Mayor Harding said council would be discussing next steps with the government through the Local Disaster Management Group.
Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said it is believed the Ipswich woman developed symptoms on 10 August.
“We only got her test results late last night and this is still being clarified,” Dr Young said.
“We are working with her today to trace all of her movements at the moment.
“We have to go back two days prior from when she first developed symptoms, so from 8 August.”
There is no known point of infection at this stage.
“We are not aware that she has been to any of the venues that those young woman who went down to Melbourne, that cluster of five, have been to during that period,” she said.
“That is the work we will now be doing very thoroughly over the rest of today to work out all of her contacts, where she has been and where she might have got this infection.”
While this work is being undertaken Dr Young asked that anyone who develops any symptoms or has any symptoms, comes forward to get tested and isolate until they get their results.
“We don’t know when our next case might appear in our community and the best way to defend against it is to get tested as early as possible and to not go out into the community and not go to work while unwell,” she said.
“The other thing is we do have to maintain that social distancing as that will protect us from seeing a spread from any cases.
“Third, don’t go into areas where we know there are large number of cases, NSW, VIC and overseas.
“This is not the time to travel interstate, everyone should reconsider their need to do that.”
This follows an urgent health alert issued Wednesday in Brisbane after a woman who tested positive to COVID-19 dined at The Jam Pantry in Greenslopes on Sunday, 16 August before flying to Japan via Sydney.
It is important to:
- Stay home if you are sick
- If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, get tested
- Stay 1.5 metres away from other people—think two big steps
- Wash your hands with soap and water, or hand sanitizer
- Leave the location if it is crowded.
If you have any concerns about your health, contact your doctor or contact 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).
Fever clinics are specialist clinics managed by Hospital and Health Services that assess people who may be infected with COVID-19.
These clinics help to keep people who may be contagious away from other areas of hospitals and health centres.
This helps to reduce the potential spread of the virus and keeps the emergency department available for emergencies.
Testing is free.
Testing and Fever Clinics in Ipswich
Ipswich Hospital Fever Clinic – (drop-in only), Jubilee Building, near Emergency Department entrance off Chelmsford Ave, Ipswich.
Kambu – Booval at 3, 160 Brisbane Rd Booval. Booking available from 8.30am until 4.30pm Monday to Friday excluding public holidays. To make a booking call 0408 699 432.
Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology – Dedicated COVID-19 centre, patients must present with a valid request form at Unit 2, 10 Churchill St (corner Warwick Rd) Ipswich.
Booking available from 6.30am until 5pm Monday to Friday excluding public holidays and from 6.30am until 11am on Saturdays. Bookings are not required.
Health Matters Karalee GP Respiratory Clinic – Anyone wishing to be seen at the respiratory clinic needs to make an appointment. For bookings or more information phone 07 3812 3133 or book online via https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/chuwarQLD-4306/ipswich-chuwar-respiratory-clinic/doctors or you can access hotdoc.com.au and search Ipswich Respiratory Clinic.
Address: 19-27 Junction Rd Chuwar. Hours from 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday excluding public holidays.
Flinders Peak Medical Centre Booking by appointment only at 355 Boonah Rd, Purga, from 8:30am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am until noon on the weekend (excluding public holidays). Bookings can be made by calling 07 5464 6765.
For more information about respiratory and fever clinics, including hours of operation, visit the West Moreton Health website and the Darling Downs West Moreton PHN website.
