Thelma Plum has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently hospitalised in Brisbane’s Metro North Public Health Unit.
The singer announced her diagnosis on Instagram, using the opportunity to call for social distancing in an effort to flatten the curve of infection.
“Tbh I don’t even really know where to begin, what a wild ride this last month has been for the world,” she said.
“All I can do is stress how important it is to be kind and compassionate to each other during this time & that we need to be looking out for & prioritising the most vulnerable people. This means skip that party, bar, restaurant or show you really want to go to & practice social distancing. I cannot stress enough how much this virus has the potential to severely harm our communities (particularly our Indigenous communities). We need to know that the public health system is going to care for our communities.”
She also called for the government to step in and provide more financial assistance to low income families and vulnerable people.
“The lack of action taken by the government has left me feeling quite anxious and hopeless, as it has many other people. Schools need to be shut down but there needs to be structures in place that can ensure low income families and vulnerable people aren’t being left in the dark. People need to work from home and if they aren’t able to the government needs to step in & financially help. Putting a temporary moratorium on things like rent, bills & mortgages could be a great start.”
Plum, who found out about her diagnosis on Sunday morning, said she was hoping to be released from hospital by this Friday, but that the “rules around being released are constantly changing.”
She was one of 15 new cases of the coronavirus confirmed in Queensland on Sunday, bringing the total across the state to 61.
“I also want to thank the incredible staff here, the nurses, doctors, the nice man Steve who comes in to change the bins. To say they’ve gone above and beyond is an understatement,” she said
“Anyway, I am doing really good feeling good and being monitored by Brissi’s finest. Luv ya’s.”
