Latest COVID-19 updates
COVID-19 positive case
A Queensland woman who visited Mater Day Surgery in Townsville on 29 September has tested positive to COVID-19 while in Melbourne, Victoria. Further investigations by the public health unit are underway to confirm the infection and investigate potential sources. Before leaving for Melbourne the woman travelled from Townsville to Cairns and Brisbane.
Locations visited in Brisbane and Cairns are currently deemed very low risk. Anyone who has been to these locations at these dates and times should monitor their health and if they develop any COVID-19 symptoms, even mild, to get tested and isolate until they receive their test result.
Locations include:
- Hyde Park, Townsville - Icon Cancer Centre Townsville - 28 September - between 4-5 pm
- Hyde Park, Townsville - Mater Day Surgery - 29 September
- Pimlico, Townsville - NQ Vascular - 30 September - between 1-2 pm
- Hyde Park, Townsville - Mater Day Surgery - 1 October
- Hyde Park, Townsville - Mater Day Surgery - 1 October 11.40 am to 7 pm
- Cairns - Tha Fish - 3 October 5.45 to 8.30 pm
- Palm Cove, Cairns - Vivo Palm Cove - 5 October 5.15 to 9 pm
- Brisbane - Georges Paragon Restaurant - 6 October 7.30 pm
- Flight QF2302 - Townsville to Cairns - 3 October
- Flight VA 782 - Cairns to Brisbane - 6 October
Update to visitor restrictions (25 September)
Following a number of days with no new cases and no recorded community transmission, the Chief Health Officer and Deputy Premier have advised that visitor restrictions have been eased in aged care homes and hospitals across Brisbane, Ipswich and Logan regions.
Mater will now allow up to two visitors for all patients across all hospital facilities during visiting hours. Screening requirements will remain in place for anyone entering any hospital facility. Records of all visitors will still be required to be kept and managed by door management staff and those on clinical wards.
Visiting hours across Mater's South Brisbane campus are 11 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 8.00 pm, with a 1 pm to 3 pm rest period. For all other campus visiting hours, please visit their individual pages here.
Visitors may include children under the age of 16 however will exclude anyone who has:
- visited a COVID-19 hotspot within the last 14 days
- arrived from overseas within the last 14 days
- come into contact with someone who is a known case of COVID-19
- or is feeling unwell in any way.
With the relaxing of these restrictions, we anticipate a potential influx of visitors over the coming days we would ask for your patience as you enter the facilities.
Changes to mask-wearing at Mater (25 September)
In line with updated guidelines from Queensland Health, surgical face masks will no longer be required to be worn by all patients, visitors and staff while within any of our hospital facilities. Please be advised that should you wish to wear a mask while in our hospitals, you will be provided with one upon entry.
With these eased safety restrictions, it is important that all visitors practice thorough hand hygiene, maintain social distancing where possible and continue our general clinical safety practises to keep everyone safe.
COVID-19 testing: How to get tested
Where to get tested
Please note, Mater's COVID-19 Testing Clinic located on Stanley Street has now closed. Should you require an immediate test without a GP referral, please present to the nearby fever clinics in the Metro South region:
- PA Hospital Community Screening Clinic
PACE building, 20 Cornwall St, Annerley
Open 8am - 4pm Monday to Friday
- Annerley Respiratory Clinic
PACE building, 20 Cornwall St, Annerley
Open 8 am - 12 pm/1 pm - 5 pm Monday to Friday
You can also view the full list of your nearest fever clinics here, or visit your nearest Mater Pathology COVID-19 collection centre however please note, a referal from your clinician is required for testing.
Testing criteria
Queensland Health has updated its guidelines for COVID-19 testing and will now test people who have any of the following respiratory symptoms such as a fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath and fatigue.
If you meet the testing criteria, please visit your nearest Fever Clinic or contact your doctor immediately. Before your appointment, please call ahead and advise of your symptoms and any recent travel so that they can prepare for your visit.
Testing process
Testing for COVID-19 involves collecting nasal or throat swabs, and sputum (mucus coughed up). These samples are then transferred to the nearest laboratory that is set up to test for COVID-19. After testing, you will be sent home to self-quarantine to wait for the results.
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