2020-08-23
|The NETWORK
|Source: www.abc.net.au

Queensland has recorded one new case of coronavirus overnight, bringing the state's total number of active cases to 18.
The newest case is a relative of a previously confirmed case that was linked to the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre at Wacol.
The case comes as the state's Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young urged Queenslanders living in the Greater Brisbane region, particularly in Ipswich, to start wearing face masks.
"It's time to use a mask," Dr Young said. "I'm not going to mandate it because I don't believe we have broad spread community transmission, but certainly we're in a risky period at this time. "[Keep] a bit of hand sanitiser in your back pocket or your handbag, and a mask with you."
Dr Young also recommended all patients, visitors and staff in hospitals in the Greater Brisbane region to wear masks. "For that area of Greater Brisbane, so Metro North, Metro South and West Moreton — for those three hospital and health services, this is the time to implement mask usage broadly within the facilities," Dr Young said.
Dr Young reminded people of the need to maintain social distancing as a priority. "That 1.5 metres is far more effective than a mask. Masks are not totally fool-proof — they will not protect you totally," she said.
Brisbane a 'restricted area'
Dr Young also declared Brisbane and Ipswich a "restricted area". "It's not a declared hotspot, it's a restricted area," Dr Young said. "It's an area where I've put restrictions in place in terms of hospitals, gatherings and in terms of getting people to be alert to come forward and get tested."
Travelling to and from those areas is not off the cards. "There's no restrictions on travel at this point in time, but of course the normal requirements remain," Dr Young said.
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