August 20, 2020
Cherbourg Council has issued an alert to residents in the wake of Thursday’s confirmed COVID-19 case at Ipswich.
“Anyone from community that has visited Brisbane Youth Detention Centre this week (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) will need to get tested for COVID-19 and self-isolate for 14 days as the Detention Centre is now in lockdown,” a statement from the Council said.
“Also, anyone who has been in a watchhouse recently needs to be tested and self-isolate.
“You should talk to Cherbourg health teams or the Darling Downs Public Health Unit.
“Any recent visitors should also monitor their health closely, get tested if you have any symptoms and possibly quarantine/isolate for 14 days from the date of your visit.
“Also, any kids who have returned to Cherbourg from the BYD centre after August 8 should get tested and isolate for 14 days from their day of release.”
The alert follows the confirmation on Thursday by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk that a worker at the Youth Detention Centre at Wacol had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
A massive contact tracing, testing and quarantining operation is now under way.
The Bundamba woman, aged in her 70s, has been admitted to Ipswich Hospital and currently has minor symptoms.
Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the woman has indicated she had not travelled interstate or overseas and authorities have not yet identified any contact with a known or likely source.
“Late yesterday we began mobilising a massive effort in response to this case,” Dr Young said.
“The Department of Youth Justice has advised this staff member did not frequent the accommodation section of the centre but Queensland Health will test the 127 youth at the facility as well as identified staff as a precaution.
“We are working to determine whether there have been any visitors during that time period and whether there have been any residents who have moved in and out of the facility during that time.
“The facility has also been placed into lockdown.”
Dr Young said the Department of Youth Justice had strong strategies in in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 in youth detention centres, including:
- COVID-19 health checks for young people, performed by Queensland Health
- Increased cleaning and sanitisation of all areas and equipment
- Increased availability of hand sanitisers, anti-bacterial wipes and protective equipment
- Extra staff training on hygiene, using protective equipment, and extra safety measures for any young person identified as high risk.
“I’m confident the Department of Youth Justice has good plans in place and together we can respond thoroughly to this potential issue,” Dr Young said.
“What we need now is for the community to again show its commitment to coming forward and being tested if any symptoms arise – especially if you live in the Ipswich area.
“Vigilance is key to keeping community transmission out of Queensland.
“While we are still determining where the virus may have been acquired, we are working closely with this patient to gather necessary information, including other places she may have visited whilst infectious.”
Dr Young urged people with symptoms to get tested, with expanded testing capacity at both the Ipswich and Gatton Hospital COVID clinics.
“We want people with symptoms to be tested fast and tested first,” Dr Young said.
“We know from our recent experience in and around Logan that a lot of people who came forward indicated they did not have any symptoms.
“I understand and appreciate their willingness to get tested.
“But please, if you don’t have symptoms, keep the path clear so we can test people who do first.”
Metro South HHS and West Moreton HHS have responded to the new case by extending hours and testing capacity at Princess Alexandra Hospital, QEII Hospital, Ipswich Hospital and Gatton Hospital.
A list of all testing locations is available on the State Government website
- Related article: Wacol Worker Tests Positive
I would think that from the info in the article that she is not patient zero for this outbreak but one of the contacts… but I am sure Qld Health must be working on all scenarios.
At the media conference on Saturday morning, Dr Young stressed there was no clue at present as to how the woman at the Youth Detention Centre (and the man who became ill about the same time) had become infected. However, genomic testing was under way to see if the source of the cluster could be narrowed down. The results of this are not expected until the end of the week.