4pm. That’s a wrap
That’s all from us today. Thanks for following along.
We’ll be back again from 8am tomorrow with updates throughout the day.
If you know something we should share with the community, email us at [email protected]
3.30pm. Ask yourself: Is it in my control?
Spending your time and energy on what you can control can help maintain your mental wellbeing during COVID-19.
So, the next time you find yourself stressing about something, ask yourself: is it in my control?
3pm. School zones are in force
Ipswich Police are reminding motorists that school zones are once again in force, after Term 2 commenced on Monday.
While many students are learning from home due to COVID-19, some are still attending school, so Ipswich Police are asking residents to obey speed limits, be patient and avoid distractions to ensure the children’s safety.
“When travelling through school zones in your area, be aware of speed limits as these are in place to create a safer environment for our children around schools,” a spokeswoman said in a recent MyPolice blog.
“School zones are in force between 7am to 9am and 2pm to 4pm, however, some school zones speed limits are in force all day, between 7am to 4pm.
“The speed limit is reduced to 40 kilometres per hour and is displayed by a school zone sign.
“Pickup and drop off times in school areas are not as busy and congested, however motorists still need to be mindful and observant of children as they can be unpredictable and easily distracted.”
More information is available here: School road safety
Image credit: Queensland Police Service
2.15pm. Help is at hand if you need it
Life has been turned upside down and it is a challenging time but you’re not alone.
Here are some important numbers if you or someone else you know needs help and support.
- 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
1.30pm. Support for health, jobs and business
Emergency measures to support Queenslanders, the business community and the industries which will deliver the State back to economic prosperity have been passed by Parliament.
Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said the Appropriation (COVID-19) Bill 2020 provides additional funding of more than $4 billion over two years to protect Queensland during the coronavirus pandemic.
Read more here: http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2020/4/22/palaszczuk-government-delivers-support-for-health-jobs-and-business
12.10pm. Telehealth consultations available
11.50am. More data now available
New data is now available to access on the Queensland Health website.
This data will give communities more oversight of local cases.
There remain 280 active cases with 738 recoveries and six deaths for a total of 1024.
“So well done Queensland, this is just the news that we need, two zero cases this week, and we are really on track to be smashing that curve,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.
“But of course we still can’t be complacent, and I want to make sure that we are giving more information to Queenslanders at http://health.qld.gov.au/covid-data.”
11.22am. Ipswich teachers thank parents
Teachers across Ipswich have thanked parents and students for their patience as they adjust to a new normal.
Schools have been printing out material for students who need it and dropping it off to parents in the carpark.
Teachers from Ipswich State High school also held up signs, saying how much they missed their students.
10.25am. No need for nursing home lockdown
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Wednesday clarified that nursing homes did not need to be in lockdown and residents shouldn’t be confined to their rooms.
“We’ve always said our elderly are the most vulnerable during this pandemic,” the Premier said in a social media post.
“That’s why certain restrictions were put in place to protect aged care facilities from the virus.
“Unfortunately, some nursing homes have taken the restrictions too far.
“As long as good hygiene and social distancing is observed, family members can visit their loved ones.”
9.45am. QLD update: two new cases, funding boost for charities
Queensland recorded just two new confirmed cases of coronavirus overnight, but the virus continues to take its toll on the community with crisis support service, Lifeline, currently receiving 24,000 calls a week on average.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Thursday announced new grants for charities, to help them respond to the increased demand for their services.
“Organisations like Lifeline and Legacy are working harder than ever to support Queenslanders who are struggling,” the Premier said on social media.
“But because charities can’t fundraise as they normally would, they’re also doing it tough financially.
“We’ll provide grants of $3.5 million for Lifeline and $1 million for Legacy to continue the important work they do.
“We have to look after each other, now more than ever.”
Lifeline director Brent McCracken said the organisation was experiencing unprecedented demand.
“Lifeline experienced its greatest number of calls in its 56 years in March and our biggest day in our history on Good Friday, as we saw people really struggling with the loneliness and isolation,” he said.
“Lifeline funds its services through its retail network which has needed to close over recent times, so our revenue has dramatically shrunk.
“Queensland Government has stepped forward to provide us with significant funds to be able to keep our services going at a time when demand is going through the roof.”
The funds will help Lifeline expand their capacity to answer calls from people in need.
8.45am. Civic Centre at Home success
Hundreds of you tuned in to live stream Ipswich Civic Centre at Home’s first performance, The Glass Half Full with Bec Grennan Djapovic.
Ipswich Civic Centre will continue to bring you free online shows while the venue is closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The next Ipswich Civic Centre at Home show will be The Last Post featuring Melly Melody this Saturday for Anzac Day.
Expect to sing along to the best-known and loved Wartime songs, with WWI and WWII classics like It’s a Long Way to Tipperary, We’ll Meet Again and Show Me The Way To Go Home.
Visit Ipswich Civic Centre’s Facebook page to stream the show from 2pm this Saturday.
8am. Thursday, 23 April 2020. Flattening the curve in Ipswich
West Moreton Health has had no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the start of April.
The region’s confirmed cases have stayed at 37.
Of West Moreton Health district’s 37 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 11 remain active while 26 have now recovered.
Queensland Health’s Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young thanked Queenslanders for playing their part in reducing the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
“Thank you Queenslanders for your role in limiting the spread of COVID-19 by staying home and social distancing,” Dr Young said.
“It’s excellent news that for the second time this week, we’ve had no new cases recorded in Queensland overnight.
“This is a clear indicator that our social distancing measures are proving to be effective,” she said.
Dr Young said a total of 90,168 tests for COVID-19 has been undertaken in Queensland, with 2,717 tests undertaken in the previous 24 hours.
Most Queenslanders who have contracted COVID-19 have experienced mild symptoms.
Currently, 20 of the 280 active confirmed cases are in hospital, with seven of these in intensive care. The remainder of active cases are currently recovering at home.
A total of 1024 cases have been confirmed in Queensland with 738 of those now recovered.
Dr Young said currently, 93 per cent of confirmed cases have recently travelled overseas or had close contact with someone who travelled overseas, such as their partner or flatmate.
“We’ve seen very limited community transmission in Queensland, with 42 cases where we don’t know the source of infection,” Dr Young said.
“It’s encouraging that numbers are staying very low this week, with only six cases recorded so far, and we want to keep it that way.
“This is a sign that we’re flattening the curve, but we can’t be complacent.
“We need to keep up our current approach, and ensure we can sustain these low numbers over a period of weeks before we can look into lifting restrictions.
“We cannot risk seeing a second wave of infections or uncontrolled community spread of COVID-19.
“Queenslanders continue to be reminded to stay home as much as possible, and stay in your suburb when undertaking essential activities such as going to the supermarket or exercising,” she said.
Contact tracing continues for recent cases.
Queensland Health will notify the community if any other public health alerts are required.
