Health system is ‘ready to cope’

TRAVEL bans have been stepped up in an attempt to slow the entry of coronavirus into Australia as the spread of localised infections gains pace.

Travellers from South Korea will be banned from entering Australia, while anyone coming from Italy will be subjected to “enhanced screening” to slow the progression of COVID-19.

The action follows similar bans on arrivals from China and Iran.

It comes as modelling shows a worst-case scenario — in which millions of Australians contract the deadly virus in a matter of weeks — is being included in the Federal Government’s preparations as the situation worsens.

So far, two Australians have died out of 57 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Around the world, COVID-19 had claimed more than 3250 lives yesterday, with more than 95,000 cases confirmed from 80 countries.

With Australia’s infections gaining pace and at least 17 cases confirmed in the 48 hours up to last night, Australia’s chief medical officer Brendan Murphy said contingency plans were being made for all possibilities.

“We’ve got those predictions from best-case scenario to worst-case scenario, and then looking at what impact that would have on every part of the sector — primary care, emergency department, waterbeds, critical care beds,” he said.

“We’re looking at scenarios from the most benign through to some millions of people

being infected over a period of several weeks.

“We think our health system is well enough to cope with that, but we are making sure that we plan for every eventuality.”

Members of the aged care sector will meet today to discuss the outbreak after the death of an elderly woman at a facility in Sydney.

In Adelaide a baby boy — whose parents also have COVID-19 after arriving from Taiwan — became Australia’s youngest confirmed case.

And four Australians are among 2500 passengers stranded on another luxury cruise ship, this time off the coast of California, after a man who took a previous voyage died from coronavirus.

More than 20 passengers and crew members on the Grand Princess are now potentially infected with the virus.

Meanwhile, travellers arriving in Australia from Italy will be asked mandatory questions at check-in.

Travellers will also be temperature checked upon arrival and will not be allowed to use the smart gates.

Australian citizens and permanent residents returning from Korea will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days when they return home.

WE’RE LOOKING AT SCENARIOS FROM THE MOST BENIGN THROUGH TO SOME MILLIONS OF PEOPLE BEING INFECTED OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL WEEKS

BRENDAN MURPHY