The Queensland Government has locked down 94 aged care homes in Brisbane’s metro south area in a pre-emptive move to protect elderly residents from the risk of community transmission as the state recorded three new coronavirus cases yesterday.
This decision came after two women from Acacia Ridge and Logan tested positive to COVID-19 after returning from Melbourne via Sydney without self-isolating.
All neighbouring facilities will be closed to visitors “until we ensure that there is no risk of them being infected,” said the state’s Deputy Premier and Health Minister Steven Miles.
During this time, facilities will also enhance staff screening and limit any movement of workers between homes.
The authorities have stressed none of the positive cases are known to have visited any aged care home.
However, the State Government has clearly learned from the hard lessons in Victoria.