Third nurse at Ipswich Hospital tests positive for COVID-19

More than 220 staff at Ipswich Hospital are today in quarantine after a four healthcare worker was infected with COVID-19 yesterday. Queensland Health has admitted the hospital was “under pressure” and patients would be impacted.

More than 220 staff at Ipswich Hospital are today in COVID quarantine after a fourth healthcare worker yesterday tested positive to coronavirus.

The 32-year-old female nurse is a close contact of a known case, with authorities now conducting contact tracing.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk provides COVID-19 update from Cairns

Health Minister Steven Miles and Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young provide an update on COVID-19

Ipswich Hospital has recorded three cases of COVID-19 among staff.

“A number of appointments scheduled for this week at Ipswich Hospital will either be relocated to other services or rescheduled,” Deputy Premier Steven Miles said yesterday.

“I would apologise to those patients whose appointments will be disrupted but also explain that the reason we are doing that is to keep them safe and keep our hospital staff safe.”

The Brisbane Youth Detention Centre and Corrections Training Academy cluster now stands at 33 cases.

Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the nurse’s health and safety precautions had “been excellent”.

Dr Jeannette Young says the Ipswich Hospital is under some pressure after 220 staff were forced into COVID quarantine. Picture: Steve Pohlner

She said as a result of more than 200 staff being sent into quarantine, there would be some changes to hospital appointments. Dr Young said the hospital was under some pressure.

“If there’s a change to their care that’s needed, they need to be referred to another facility for an operation for instance, they will get a phone call.

Originally published as Third nurse at Ipswich Hospital tests positive for COVID-19